How to Choose a Multivitamin
1. Purity
When you read many multivitamin labels today, you are likely to see as many non-medicinal ingredients as you are actual health-giving nutrients. Look for products that do not contain fillers, binders and lubricants. These non-medicinal ingredients are just that, providing no health reward to consumers, but plenty of financial rewards to manufacturers. Often, children’s multivitamins can have the greatest amount of fillers, as well as added sweeteners and colours.
2. Is it complete?
Look for a full complement of vitamins and minerals, as well as herbs, antioxidants and essential oils. Recent scientific research has validated the many benefits that can be derived from nutraceuticals, such as CoQ10 for your cardiovascular system, lipoic acid to balance blood glucose levels, and omega-3 fish oils to improve both heart and mind. One or two capsules per day of a complete multi will provide all the nutrients a body needs for the day.
3. Potency
It is not enough to have a specific ingredient in the formulation. It must be there in sufficient quantity to have a beneficial effect in the body. Many supplements include the ‘kitchen sink’, but provide very small amounts of the active ingredient. This approach makes for excellent marketing opportunities, but often leaves consumers with little real benefit to show for their efforts.
4. Naturally sourced materials
In less expensive multivitamins, you may find synthetic versions of vitamins. Quite often these synthetic analogs do not work as well as their natural cousins. Small changes in their chemical structure may result in below-average performance in the body. For instance, vitamin E is d-alpha tocopherol; the synthetic version is dl-alpha tocopherol and has been demonstrated to be less bio-active than the natural form.
5. Delivery system?
Many people are familiar with tablets and continue to purchase vitamins in this form. However, newer technologies, including softgels and Li-caps, have replaced the standard tablet. Tablets are made under pressure, and as a consequence may be difficult for some people to break down and absorb. The new softgels and Li-caps are liquid supplements in a capsule. This combines the best attributes of a liquid supplement - quick and complete absorption - and places them in a convenient and easily digestible capsule.
Read labels thoroughly and ask for advice. In most health food stores, staff are trained and familiar with the wide variety of supplements available today. Use their expertise to clarify the differences between multivitamins and to get user feedback. The front-line floor staff hear the good and bad about many products, and can pass this information on to you to make a better and more informed choice.
Peter Karner is a Homeopath, Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Director of Education for Platinum Naturals.
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