SHOULD I TAKE A DAILY MULTIVITAMIN?

Should I Take a Daily Multivitamin?
 
As harmless as they might seem, there often is a great deal of controversy surrounding the issue of vitamin supplementation. Generally speaking, taking a daily multivitamin supplement is safe and effective. In fact, doing so is, at least in most instances, much safer than developing symptoms of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

There is a tendency for some people to feel that if "some" is good, then "more" is better when it comes to daily multivitamins and other supplements, however.  This is not always the case, and, if you intend to supplement beyond recommended daily allowances or the amounts offered in standard preparations, that you educate yourself not only on the subjects of vitamin deficiency, but of vitamin overdose as well.

The bottom line is that today's hectic lifestyle and hit-or-miss eating style makes it difficult for people of all ages to get their daily nutritional requirements from food. Having to spend more time at work than at home means people are eating out more often..especially in families with two jobs.  While eating out IS convenient, the truth is that people are losing control of what they eat. Restaurant food offers portion sizes that are often double and even triple what they should be. Preparation methods generally involve using artery-clogging oils, and other saturated fats, and preparation and storage in commercial food service establishments is often detrimental to the nutrient value of the food itself..

Eating out isn't the only problem, however. Stress, another fact of modern life, wreaks havoc on the body and the spirit, and often works to diminish whatever nutritional value people are getting from their food. In today's world, it's difficult to escape stress, eating on the run, and eating at odd times during the day. What's even worse, skipping meals, including skipping breakfast, an all-important meal, has become a normal way of life for so many.

The combination of nutritionally-void foods, stress, insufficient exercise, and generally poor eating habits can spell disaster when it comes to eating a balanced diet. Is it any wonder that these are the very reasons why so many people today are choosing to supplement their diets with multivitamins?

If the above scenario sounds to you a little like the way you live your life, there's a good chance you'll benefit from a daily multivitamin supplement. For most people, it's usually not necessary to first consult with a doctor. If your health overall is good, and you're not taking any medication, a multivitamin that meets recommended daily allowances will be sufficient.

The B-vitamins and Vitamin C are water soluble vitamins so over-supplementation isn't an issue. With water soluble vitamins, the body processes what it does not use and eliminates the excess vitamins through the urine.

Fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin D, are different in that the body will store excess amounts. But still, even at levels that are slightly higher than the recommended daily allowances, there shouldn't be any adverse effects. Excessive consumption however is not advisable and may even trigger health complications.

As with most things in life, when taking a multivitamin supplement, moderation is key. Keep in mind that a lot of off-the-shelf foods are now being fortified with vitamins and minerals; cereals, milk, and orange juice for example.  If ever you are in doubt as to the amount of supplementation you should give your body, the best advice is to discuss this topic with either your doctor or an experienced nutritionist.

If and when you DO decide that a daily multivitamin supplement makes sense to you, the only thing left to do is go out and buy some. Multivitamin supplements are available in tablet or pill form and liquid form. With so many brands available, you may want to take time to read the labels or look for a familiar manufacturer. Select the form you're more likely to take on a regular basis and you'll be one step closer to having a healthy body!

About the Author

Donovan Baldwin is a freelance SEO copywriter livng in Stone Mountain, GA. He is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He is a University of West Florida alumnus (BA Accounting 1973) and has been a member of Mensa for several years. He has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He developed an interest in health and fitness in the '70s after reading numerous books, including Dr. Kenneth Cooper's "Aerobics". This has led him to continue his personal research into health and fitness for over 30 years, and to pursue course work on the subjects of health and fitness, including yoga, which he practices regularly. Learn more about health, fitness, diet, and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.blogspot.com.