What to Look for in a Multivitamin

In an age so overly saturated with processed foods, that are meant to be tasty rather than nutritious, and fast food that’s often cheaper and more accessible than groceries, it’s difficult–if not impossible–to get the kinds of vitamins and nutrients your body needs through diet alone. In fact, even if you’re able to keep yourself on an organic, healthy diet, chances are high that you’re still not getting enough of the vitamins that are difficult for your body to absorb without a little extra help. As many find out the hard way, having vitamin deficiencies can lead to numerous chronic health issues, such as eye-related illnesses, heart disease, and bone health issues like osteoporosis.

This is why finding the right multivitamin for you can be vital to helping you lead a healthy life. So, how do you choose between the dozens–even hundreds!–of options on the market? As with most things, the answer lies within the ingredients.

Uscriptives offers multivitamin formulas for men, women, and children. Shop our physician recommended multivitamins. 

How Do I Choose a Good Multivitamin?

Think of it this way–you’d choose a multivitamin much the same way you would want to pick out a mattress for yourself. There’s no “one size fits all” solution: some people need a firmer mattress, others need something nice and plush, and plenty of people fall somewhere in between. Similarly, there’s no one size fits all answer to what kind of vitamins each individual needs an extra dose of. That’s why it helps to know which vitamins and minerals you may be particularly deficient in.

Therefore, your first step (if possible) should be to consult with your primary care physician so that you can be tested for any specific vitamin deficiencies. Heed your doctor’s medical advice when they tell you you’re low on Vitamin D, iron, or anything else your body needs to function at maximum potential. A general guideline when searching for the best daily multivitamin for you is to make sure that all ingredients are listed, legible, and ideally natural.

What Should I Look For When Buying Vitamins?

Your next step will be to actually check the vitamins and minerals listed in a given multivitamin to make sure it contains any of the ones you’ve been told you are deficient in. Beyond that, some of the most common vitamins people tend to need more of include:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B12, B6, and other B Vitamins
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Calcium
• Choline
• Fiber
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium

These are some of the primary staples in most dietary supplements. However, keep in mind that there are specialty vitamins for specific groups of people. For example, pregnant women in particular need high levels of folic acid in their vitamins to protect both their health and that of the baby by ensuring the body produces appropriate levels of healthy red blood cells. Similarly, you might find more B Vitamins available in multivitamins intended specifically for women, to ensure improved energy levels throughout the day. Or, in multivitamins meant for children, you’ll want to see higher levels of Vitamin C to improve the health of their immune system and overall immune function.

What Should Not Be Included In My Vitamins?

Keep in mind that you can have too much of a good thing; especially when it comes to nutrients like Vitamin K, which can counteract some blood thinners. If you’re taking medication for heart health, it’s important that you run any vitamin and mineral supplements by your doctor before introducing them into your diet. Additionally, many supplements will contain ingredients like food coloring, yeast, sugar, starch, salt, wheat, flavorings, or other preservatives that can lower the nutritional value or counteract the effects of the vitamins in the supplements themselves.

For this reason, vitamins with natural ingredients, such as Uscriptives multivitamins, are ideal for those looking to improve their general health and nutrient intake. Again, if you have any specific health concerns, be sure to discuss your options with your doctor before adding any supplements to your daily routine. Occasionally, an additional supplement may be recommended in tandem with a multivitamin to make certain that you’re getting recommended daily doses and correcting any deficiencies.

Now that you know what to look for in a multivitamin, shop our physician recommended multivitamins! 

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.