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We have all been there, striving for a healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercising more, and getting more sleep. But sometimes life happens, and we need a boost. That is where supplements can help. To fill the nutrient gap in our diet, most have looked to daily multivitamins for help. But similar to most things in the world of health and wellness, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to supplements- even multivitamins. Here is what you need to know about multivitamins and how to find the right one to improve your health.
What is a Multivitamin?
Multivitamins are a once-a-day supplement containing at least two-thirds of the daily required vitamins and minerals. For example, many of us cannot consume the recommended nine servings of fruit and vegetables by the U.S. Institute of Medicine*. A multivitamin can help provide the vitamins and minerals essential to our health and fill our diet’s nutrient gap. However, the ingredients and benefits in multivitamins range from brand to brand, most including fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble B-vitamins, and minerals such as those listed below.
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Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K
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Water-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin C, Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), and Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
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Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Iodine, and Selenium
It’s important to note that multivitamins are not a magic pill nor a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Instead, their purpose is to fill nutritional gaps that you may not be aware of in your diet.
Why Not All Multivitamins Are the Same
The primary purpose is to supply your body with essential daily vitamins and minerals that your diet may be missing out on. However, whether or not you are receiving those benefits depends on the quality and completeness of the supplement.
For the supplement to serve its purpose, it needs an adequate amount of the proper forms of micronutrients. However, the types and amount of nutrients in multivitamins vary significantly from product to product. Some even leave out certain nutrients altogether by cutting corners in manufacturing by not providing enough vitamins and minerals to be beneficial. In addition, they often disregard the bioavailability and sustainability of the nutrients once they have entered the body, further diluting its benefits.
Finding a Multivitamin with Benefits
To truly benefit from a daily multivitamin, you must search for a reliable brand and product you can trust, such as Supplements Studio’s Whole Food Multivitamin Plus With Iron. But, don’t fret. Finding a multivitamin is well worth the effort and can make a difference if done right. Here are four tips to look for in a quality multivitamin:
1. Essential Nutrients
With so many vitamins and mineral combinations, what should you be looking for on the back of the bottle? Luckily, you don’t need a degree in nutrition to know what multivitamin is worth taking with your morning OJ.
A well-rounded multivitamin should include:
- Vitamins: A, C, D3, E, K, Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), B6, and B12
- Minerals: Magnesium, Iodine, Zinc, and Manganese
These nutrients support various bodily functions, from immune health to energy production and bone health.
2. Ingredients Quality & Bioavailability Matter
Beyond just containing the right nutrients, a quality multivitamin should use highly absorbable, natural, and bioavailable forms of vitamins and minerals. Look for:
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Methylated B vitamins (such as methylfolate and methylcobalamin) for better absorption
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Gentle, chelated minerals and other well-absorbed forms of minerals (like zinc amino acid chelate, zinc orotate, or magnesium from Aquamin®) that are easier on the stomach
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Whole food nutrients from plant sources for an extra boost of nutrients
3. The Right Dose for Maximum Benefit
The amount of each nutrient is just as important as its form. Always check the % Daily Value (DV) on the supplement facts label to ensure you're getting optimal levels. Some essential nutrients are often underrepresented in multivitamins due to space limitations or cost-cutting measures. That’s why it’s crucial to review your multivitamin label and ensure it provides the nutrients you may be missing from your diet.
4. A Clean Label with No Unnecessary Additives
Once you’ve verified that a multivitamin contains the right nutrients, take a close look at the “Other Ingredients” section on the label. A high-quality multivitamin should be free from unnecessary fillers, synthetic additives, and allergens.
Avoid products that contain:
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Unnecessary fillers, binders, or additives like rice flour and magnesium stearate
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Artificial colors, flavors, or synthetic dyes
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Common allergens like soy, dairy, and gluten
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Added sugars or artificial sweeteners
A truly clean, high-quality multivitamin should have a short and transparent list of ingredients, ensuring that you’re only putting beneficial nutrients into your body.
Choosing the Right Multivitamin for You
Multivitamins can help fill the nutritional gaps in your diet if they have an adequate amount of the proper forms of nutrients. To get the most out of your supplement, always check the nutrition label for essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality ingredients, proper dosages, and the absence of unnecessary fillers.
If the thought of scanning through endless product labels at the store feels overwhelming, we've got you covered. Try Supplements Studio Whole Food Multivitamin Plus No Iron or Whole Food Multivitamin Plus With Iron. Our supplements are made with high quality natural & vegan ingredients, are enriched with whole foods, crafted without GMOs, preservatives, additives, or fillers. Your health is our priority! But don’t just take our word for it—see what our customers have to say.
Final Thoughts
Multivitamins are an excellent way to supplement your diet, but only if you choose a high-quality product with the right ingredients, dosages, and purity standards. Take the time to check the label, research the brand, and select a multivitamin that truly supports your health goals.
Looking for more ways to optimize your health?
Check out our latest post on Foods that Strenghten Your Immune System.
*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305172/
Disclaimer: This information or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating of health problems or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatments. Always speak with you physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication, nutritional, herbal, homeopathic supplement for the treatment of health problems. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider immediately. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice due to something you have read in this article.
