MARCH 12, 2018
MULTIVITAMINS
There are several reasons why taking a multivitamin is a good idea. As I have mentioned previously food just isn’t food anymore. Often even when we think we are eating healthily we may be missing out on certain nutrients simply because they are not present in our food in large enough quantities.
Sometimes due to the combination of foods we are eating and medications we are taking nutrients may not be absorbed properly.
WHAT IS IN A MULTIVITAMIN?
Multivitamins should contain the range of B vitamins as well as vitamins A,C,D,E and K and the minerals calcium, zinc, magnesium, iodine, copper, manganese, chromium and selenium.
Some multivitamins also contain herbs to help treat different conditions.
YOU SHOULD TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN IF YOU TAKE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MEDICINES
- Blood pressure medicines
- HRT (if it contains oestrogen)
- Contraception (if it contains oestrogen)
- Antidepressants
- Diabetes medicines
- Cholesterol medicines
- Acid reducing medicines
- Antibiotics
- NSAIDs
- Laxatives
- Gout medicines
- Diuretics
HOW DOES A MULTIVITAMIN IMPROVE OUR HEALTH?
- Gives us energy!
- Increases immune system strength
- Strengthens bone, skin and nails
- Antioxidant
- Antiaging
- Better digestion
- Wound healing
- Better cardiovascular health
- Better nervous system health
- Better metabolism
- Better mental health
- Better sleep
- Prevent neural tube birth defects
- And many more!
ARE ALL MULTIVITAMINS EQUAL?
No they aren’t. Supplements containing natural vitamins as opposed to synthetic vitamins are best (this is a topic for a post coming soon). It is also important that the supplement contains adequate quantities of the vitamins and minerals in a formulation where they can be absorbed properly.
