Multivitamins should be taken as directed. This usually means once a day, with meals. Each vitamin manufacturer will have different instructions, so follow them as recommended. According to Axe, a study published a few years ago in the Journal of Nutrition indicates that the dietary habits of a large part of the population of our country do not even meet the minimum recommended intakes in the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of many vital nutrients.
If you're feeling exhausted day in and day out, a multivitamin can be the motivation you crave to get going. Dr. Vanessa Pavey, North Dakota, an education scientist at Life Extension, explains that taking a multivitamin provides essential water-soluble B vitamins that we need to release energy that is trapped in carbohydrates, fats and proteins. When deciding which brand to choose, Dr.
Axe recommends looking for those that contain vitamin D3, vitamin K2, folic acid and vitamin B12, all of which promote cardiovascular health. Medicinal plants are best viewed as diluted forms of natural medicines, not as food or dietary supplements. On the other hand, it's also important to remember that vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements won't make up for an unhealthy, unbalanced diet that lacks fresh fruits and vegetables. To reduce the risk of vision loss and early forms of age-related macular degeneration, add 900 mg of DHA and a lutein and zeaxanthin supplement (Dr. Supplements supplements, on the other hand, are pills you can buy at the store that contain specific doses of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, iron, biotin, and more).
If you take herbal supplements daily, you should be aware that many will lose their effectiveness if you use them all the time or too often. A daily supplement can't eliminate the harm from the food you eat, but it can steer you in a better direction. However, if you adjust your diet and still want to try supplements, Leavey suggested that you see your primary care doctor to help guide you through the process. Finally, it's important to note that supplements aren't always well-regulated, so be careful when buying.
However, because vitamin D comes mainly from exposure to sunlight and it can be difficult to get it from food, Leavey said, many people are deficient and may need a supplement. I generally recommend that people check their vitamin levels before they start taking a multivitamin and that they only supplement a deficiency or vulnerability. We also take a daily supplement of 1000 IU of vitamin D-3 and DHA omega-3 (Mehmet takes 600 mg and Mike 900 mg because he is over 60 years old). Leavey said that iron deficiency, which can cause fatigue and dizziness, is common among women who are menstruating, but that an iron supplement (in addition to an iron-rich diet) can help combat that deficiency.
Because of all these variables, a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement is the best way to make sure you're getting what you need. The reason why they take supplements is, first of all, insurance against nutritional deficiencies in the diet and an additional defense against the increase in toxic pressures in the environment. While there's no doubt that you should strive to get a variety of nutrients every day, including vitamins and minerals, Leavey doesn't recommend “routine intake” of vitamin supplements to achieve this goal.
