With the contrasting view on multivitamins ranging from being "a nutrition insurance plan" to "flushing money down the drain," what should you do?
We would all eat various healthy foods daily in an ideal world consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Doing so would provide us with most of the necessary nutrients our body needs. But life happens, and sometimes our best intentions of a healthy lifestyle fall by the wayside for an easy meal. That is why so many people turn to multivitamins to fulfill the nutritional gaps within their diet. But what exactly are multivitamins? And, more importantly, do multivitamins make you healthier?
What is a Multivitamin?
Let's face the fact that most of us do not consume the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables. A multivitamin can help provide the vitamins and minerals essential to our health and fill our diet's nutrient gap. So, what are multivitamins?
Multivitamins are supplements containing at least two-thirds of the required vitamins and minerals, often in the form of a capsule, tablet, liquid, gummy, or gel cap. It's important to note that while a multivitamin should not replace a balanced diet, it can help provide your body with health benefits for optimal well-being.
What Happens When You Take Multivitamins Daily?
Taking multivitamins daily can provide various health benefits, as they contain essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs to stay healthy. Multivitamins can help replenish deficiencies in vitamins and minerals that may be lacking due to an inadequate diet. When taken regularly, multivitamins can help the body absorb nutrients more effectively, improve immune system function, and reduce the risk of certain diseases.
When taken daily, multivitamins can also support healthy skin, hair, and nails. In addition to providing essential vitamins and minerals, some formulations also include whole food and herbal extracts, which may improve overall health by reducing inflammation and helping with digestion. Additionally, research has suggested that taking daily multivitamin supplements may reduce oxidative stress in the body resulting in increased energy levels throughout the day.
Some studies have shown an association between taking multivitamins regularly and improved cognitive function. Multivitamin supplementation may enhance mental clarity, focus, and memory recall while also reducing stress levels. Overall taking vegan multivitamin supplements daily is a great way to ensure your body is getting all the essential nutrients it needs for optimal health.
Benefits of Multivitamins
Multivitamins comprise several daily vital vitamins and minerals essential to your body's core functions. A complete multivitamin formula has endless benefits, including immune function, brain health, cardiovascular health, bone and muscle function, and eye health.
Immune Function
Your immune system cannot function properly without a sufficient daily dose of vitamins and minerals. A multivitamin can help your immunity, specifically by improving vitamin C and zinc levels. Both are essential vital nutrients that play a role in immune cell development and function for innate and adaptive immune responses.
Brain Health
Your cognitive function relies on a wide variety of nutrients to function optimally. B-complex vitamins which are typically included in a multivitamin may help boost brain function, support enhanced focus and clarity, and may increase productivity.
Cardiovascular Health
Your heart relies on nutrients such as magnesium, B-complex vitamins, iron, and vitamin D, to function properly. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure, keeping your arteries from hardening and heart rhythm regular. The B-complex vitamins are essential for forming new red blood cells, fighting infections, and even helping to lower homocysteine levels which can harden arteries.
Bone and Muscle Function
Calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium play a crucial role in supporting bone and muscle health. Unfortunately, these are also nutrients most of us don't get enough of in our daily diet, so daily multivitamins packed full of these nutrients are crucial. Both calcium and vitamin D are the cornerstone for healthy bones. Calcium is the foundation of bone tissue, and vitamin D helps the body absorb and process calcium. In addition, magnesium is vital to forming and maintaining those bones and proper muscle contraction.
Eye Health
A nutrient deficiency can significantly impact eye health, and many believe it to be associated with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidants and harmful free radicals that damage parts of cells, such as proteins, DNA, and cell membranes. Vitamins E and C are potent antioxidants that can help protect your cells from these free radicals. Vitamin C also is required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to your eye's cornea and sclera. Taking a quality multivitamin packed with these vital nutrients can help promote eye function, healthy vision, and may help reduce risk of age-related eye diseases.
Promotes Healthy Aging
Taking multivitamins can help support healthy aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases. Studies have found that Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, Selenium, and other antioxidants found in multivitamins are linked to a lower incidence of age-related cognitive decline and death from heart disease. These vitamins are believed to help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which can cause premature aging.
Beneficial for Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails
Multivitamins are an excellent way to keep your hair, skin, and nails looking healthy and strong. Essential minerals like zinc and iron are vital for promoting healthy hair growth, while Vitamin C helps boost collagen production in the skin—keeping it looking youthful and supple. Additionally, Biotin is known for its ability to strengthen brittle nails so they don't break or split as easily.
Who Might Benefit from Multivitamins?
For most of us, our diets have become more indulgent than nutritious.
The average person consumes 30% or more of their diet from nutrient-poor foods. As a result, these foods push us away from more nutritional options that contain essential nutrients our bodies need. Most individuals do not consume enough vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and dietary fiber, amongst others. For these reasons, anyone could benefit from adding a daily multivitamin into their daily routine.
How Do Multivitamins Work and what is a good dosage?
Once you swallow the multivitamin by mouth, the supplement works its course through your body. It is essential to take your multivitamin alongside food and water for the best digestion and absorption.
It is important to consult a healthcare provider before taking any new supplements, as certain vitamins and minerals may interact with other medications.
The Bottom Line
Multivitamins are a great way to ensure you get all of the nutrients your diet lacks. Taking a multivitamin improves your overall nutrient intake to benefit your health and well-being. Try our Whole Food Multivitamin Plus (we have two variations, one with iron and one without, depending on your dietary needs).
At Supplements Studio, your health is our priority! That is why all of our supplements have been expertly-formulated and designed for maximum benefits, effectiveness, and high absorption. We believe in ingredient transparency. That’s why we use only the highest quality ingredients, and all our supplements are completely free from any fillers, additives, wheat, gluten, or dairy. All our products are non-GMO, and we don’t use any preservatives. Give your body the nutrient boost it needs with Supplements Studio.
Disclaimer
This information or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging does not substitute the advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use this article's information to diagnose or treat health problems or diseases or prescribe medication or other treatments. Always speak with your physician or another healthcare professional before taking any medication, nutritional, herbal, homeopathic supplement to treat health problems. If you have or suspect a medical problem, contact your health care provider immediately. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking professional advice due to something you have read in this article.