How to Choose Your Multivitamin Supplement Nutrients, namely vitamins and minerals, carry out important body functions of growth, healing and energy giving. every individual requires a specific amount of vitamins and minerals on daily basis to carry out these functions effectively. The RDA or Recommended Daily Allowance provides guidelines on the quantiy of each nutrient. Unhealthy dietary habits act as the principal cause of nutritional deficiencies in human beings, which may be manifested in the form of health problems such as metabolic disorders, chronic fatigue, obesity, insomnia, lack of concentration, to name just a few. Consequently, there may be a gradual degeneration in overall physical and mental well-being, which makes it essential to make up for deficiencies by getting these nutrients (vitamins and minerals) from sources other than food. What is a Multivitamin Supplement? Multivitamin supplements refer to a combination of vitamins and minerals, which are employed for the purpose of fulfilling nutritional deficiencies in the body, which cannot be possibly implemented with food alone. Additionally, multivitamin supplements may help in combating health problems such as age-related macular degeneration and lower the risk of some diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Who Should Take Multivitamins? The need to supplement daily diet with multivitamins is particularly more important in some cases, which are mentioned below: 1. People who exercise a lot, those who have poor appetite and some nutrient deficiencies. 2. Working professionals who are unable to eat healthy and exercise owing to shortage of time. 3. Women over 30 need to support their diet with vitamins and minerals to minimize the adverse effects of age-related hormonal changes, bone loss and to fortify overall health against aging and disease. 4. Vegetarians may need some multivitamin supplements, for instance, vegetarian diet does not deliver the required amounts of vitamin B12, which is only available in animal products. 5. Pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy need to take folic acid for proper growth and development of the unborn child. 6. Breastfed infants require vitamin D supplements. Even older people may require vitamin D supplements as vitamin D synthesis by skin is reduced with age. 7. Postmenopausal women require supplements of calcium and vitamin D to improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. 8. People aged over 50 years need vitamin and mineral supplements due to decline in the ability of the body to absorb these nutrients effectively from food sources. People who are lactose intolerant or those who suffer from depression and insomnia may need multivitamin supplements. Points to Remember while Choosing Your Multivitamin Supplement Multivitamin supplements play a key role in filling the nutritional gaps in the diet. However, in order to derive maximum benefits from multivitamins, one needs to choose them with care, keeping a few factors in mind. RDA: Read about the product to learn whether it provides essential micronutrients within the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). A multivitamin supplement that delivers less than the RDA will be unable to fulfill your daily nutritional requirement. On the other hand, products which contain more than RDA of a nutrient can lead to toxicity and cause more harm than good. Composition: Check composition to know if the product contains essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin K, potassium, zinc, iodine, selenium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron and beta-carotene. Value for Money: Expensive does not always mean best, similarly buying a low quality health supplement on a bargain may mean that you are paying for something not worth its price. While expending on any healh product, it is essential to consider the manufacturers reputation, the quality and availability of the product. Expiry date: Always check the label for expiry date. Results: If taken regularly and as per instructions, a good quality health supplement will show results in due time. However, any move towards achieving a healthy body needs to be supported with a healthy lifestyle. A nutritional supplement alone cannot fight a lifestyle and habits that abuses ones physical and mental wellbeing. - See more at: mywellness.in/choose-multivitamin-supplement/#sthash.46IlelDc.dpuf
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:02:03 +0000
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