Should you be taking multivitamins?
As with most things related to your health, whether or not you need a multivitamin is based on a number of personal health factors. Therefore, a blanket yes or no answer won’t work. If you are wondering where to start, however, Serena Poon, a celebrity chef, nutritionist and Reiki master who founded Just Add Water and Culinary Alchemy, recommends visiting your physician to get a test of your vitamin and mineral levels. “People who have conditions that affect nutrient absorption, the elderly and pregnant women are often recommended a multivitamin,” notes Poon. “If you are not in one of these communities, I do recommend visiting your doctor to test your vitamin and mineral levels. From there, you could identify certain foods or supplements that would support your health or even get your own custom multivitamin blend made. It is important to check with your doctor before starting any supplement program.” Multivitamins aren’t always indicated, especially as Poon notes research shows no indication they help prevent or reduce certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, author of Radical Longevity, notes that taking a multivitamin can fill gaps in our diets, noting that with the abundance of processed foods that lack nutrition our body needs. Should you decide to take a multivitamin, Dr. Gittleman recommends a “broad-spectrum product with key vitamins and minerals in highly absorbable forms” that contains the following:
Chromium for healthy blood sugar supportIodine for thyroid supportVitamin D for immunity, brain, and bone healthAlpha-lipoic acid for potent antioxidant support that crosses the blood/brain barrierMagnesium to calcium ratio of 1:1 or even 2:1 to optimize calcium absorption for strong bones and relaxed musclesPlant-based enzymes to help assure delivery of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients into the system
How should you take multivitamins?
Most experts recommend taking your multivitamins with a meal and keeping up hydration levels throughout the day. Dr. Gittleman explains taking them with food is ideal for better absorption and utilization of the nutrients at the cellular level, while hydrating is just a general health practice. “You should always be aware of water intake as drinking plenty of water is key to good health overall,” adds Dr. Gittleman. “I recommend drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water because true hydration involves getting the water inside your cells. Properly hydrated cells are critical to the process of removing toxins from your body, in addition to cellular repair and reproduction.”
What’s the best time of day to take multivitamins?
If you and your physician do decide it’s best for you to take multivitamins, Poon advises there are a few factors you should consider when determining the best time of day to take multivitamins. Following these guidelines can help you determine whether or not you should take your multivitamins with breakfast, lunch or dinner. Next up, read up on how to choose the best multivitamin for your needs.
Sources
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, author of Radical LongevityCirculation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, Vol. 11, No. 7, Haslam, D., Prasad, V., 10 Jul 2018, “Multivitamins Do Not Reduce Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality and Should Not Be Taken for This Purpose,” doi: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.118.004886Serena Poon, a celebrity chef, nutritionist and Reiki master who founded Just Add Water and Culinary Alchemy
