What to Look for in a Multivitamin
You've undoubtedly read the news reports that indicate that
taking a multivitamin every day can provide long-term health
benefits. If you're like most people you probably are interested
in making a multivitamin a part of your strategy for good
health. You browse the aisle of your favorite grocery store to
shop for a multivitamin and discover there is an entire grocery
store shelf dedicated to multivitamins. So, how are you supposed
to choose just one? There are 3 basic criteria that can you can
use to decide which multivitamin is right for you.
Your first consideration should be your specific requirements.
Hopefully, you have spoken with a doctor about taking a
multivitamin and he or she has recommended the type of vitamins
you need. Are you feeling stressed? Following a strict diet?
Perform a rigorous set of exercises on a regular basis? All of
these circumstances require a multivitamin with a specific
formula. When you shop for a multivitamin with a special
formula, you should also make sure the multivitamin contains the
recommended daily allowance for the 13 essential vitamins (A, C,
D, E, K, B12, and 7 B-complex vitamins). Some special formula
multivitamins do not contain the minimum.
You should also make sure a multivitamin has the U.S.
Pharmacopoeia (USP) label printed on it. USP develops
pharmaceutical standards for dietary supplements. A multivitamin
that bears the USP label has been tested and meets the five
criteria of quality for dietary supplements that the
organization has set in conjunction with various agencies and
health professionals. The popularity of the Internet has made it
possible to purchase just about everything, including vitamins,
online. While many of the companies that sell vitamins over the
Internet are reputable, you should ensure that the vitamins you
buy include the USP label. This is especially important if the
company selling the vitamins resides in a country that is
different than yours. The USP label is associated with vitamins
produced in the United States. If you purchase vitamins from
other countries, research to discover the regulating agency of
pharmaceuticals in that country and make sure the vitamins that
you purchase are certified by that agency.
The criteria outlined here are only a guide to assist you with
purchasing a multivitamin. Your doctor will be able to give you
a more definitive list of criteria according to your particular
needs.