A Guide to Choosing the Right Multivitamin for Your Needs

A Guide to Choosing the Right Multivitamin for Your Needs

A multivitamin supplement is designed to give you a range of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals in one daily dose, and there are many different options to choose from. Choosing the right multivitamin for you and your lifestyle means considering your health needs and your own situation and comparing the supplements available to you. You may also need to consider your budget and any special circumstances.

In this article, we will consider the different factors that can influence your choice of multivitamin, and we will address the different types of supplements available. You can talk to us about your healthcare needs online or in our community Pharmacy, and we will be happy to help you feel more informed about the products you choose to support your health.

What is in a Multivitamin?

A multivitamin usually contains a range of vitamins which are beneficial to your health in different ways. Understanding the different types of vitamins and what they contribute can help you choose the right multivitamin that you may need more or less of in your supplement. You will find that most multivitamins include most or all of the following:

Vitamin A, essential for vision, reproductive health and immunity
Vitamin B, eight different B vitamins vital for cell development and function and other essential processes in the body such as converting carbs, fats and proteins into energy. These include B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate) and. B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin C, essential for the immune system and skin
Vitamin D is vital for maintaining strong bones and boosting immunity
Vitamin E, essential to protect against free radicals and boost the immune system
Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting and healthy bones
Calcium, essential for strong, healthy teeth and bones
Iron is vital to oxygenating the blood
Magnesium, vital for muscle and nerve function, glucose control and the heart
Zinc, essential for immunity and growth

A multivitamin supplement will usually contain all of the above in varying quantities and you can also try separate supplements for any that you need in higher doses. If you have had a blood test and been found to be deficient in any essential vitamins and minerals, your GP or pharmacist will be able to advise you on the best route to take.

Factors to consider when choosing the right multivitamin

The right multivitamin for you will be the one that gives you the best combination of essentials in the format you prefer. You can try tablets, capsules, liquids or sachets to see which you find most palatable. For instance, Revive Active Sachets are formulated to contain Magnesium, B Vitamins and Vitamins C and D, along with the antioxidant CoQ10 and essential amino acids, and are easy to dissolve in water. Your preferences will dictate the ranges and types of multivitamins you can choose from, so it’s a great way to narrow down your options.

1 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/

Other factors to consider when choosing a multivitamin usually relate to your personal situation. You will want to think about the following:

Your diet.

The first place to start is to look at the diet you follow in your daily life, as this will give you a good indication of where you might need extra supplementation. If you do not eat meat, you may find that a supplement containing Vitamin B12 makes a huge difference to your health and well-being, for instance. If you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, you are likely to have much more Vitamin C than if you eat mainly processed foods, and this can have a big impact on your health. Your diet is the first area to address when you are considering making lifestyle changes, and supplementation with a multivitamin should be in addition to a colourful, whole food diet rather than instead of it.

Your age.

Our bodies change with time and there are some vitamins and minerals that are more important at different ages. For example, a multivitamin for the older population might include calcium, for good bone health, since this becomes more of a concern as we age. Multivitamin options for children and teenagers often include specific nutrients that are essential for growing bodies and focused brains. Eskimo-3 Kids is a combination of Omega 3, 6 and 9 with Vitamin D and Vitamin E, and this is an ideal blend for physical health and mental awareness for children aged up to twelve years.

Your general health.

Understanding your baseline health before you start taking a multivitamin can be very helpful. If you are anaemic, or a blood test has shown you are low in iron, you may wish to take a multivitamin that is high in vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 as well as iron itself, and you should also ensure that it includes vitamin C, which is essential for the absorption of iron in the body. If you struggle with muscle cramps or headaches, you may find that a supplement containing magnesium makes a big difference to your daily wellness. Looking at your health in general and finding vitamins and minerals that will help to relieve specific symptoms is an excellent way to narrow down the choice of multivitamins out there and find the best options for your personal situation.

Your immunity.

If you are looking for a multivitamin because your immunity is low and you keep picking up winter bugs, a supplement with zinc and vitamin C in it will be a good place to start. Your immune system needs these essentials to function well and ensuring that you get enough of them all year round can strengthen your system and help you to recover more quickly when the inevitable cold and flu season comes around. A good diet is a vital way to improve your immunity, and certain self-care practices such as getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly can be very helpful as well.

The cost of choosing the right multivitamin.

There is a considerable price difference between brands when you are considering multivitamins, and it can be overwhelming when you are trying to make the right choices. Your budget will dictate the brands you consider, and you should look out for ‘bulking’ or ‘filler’ ingredients as these will not be great for your health. Supplements that contain higher quality ingredients may be better absorbed by the body and make more difference to your long-term health. However, a multivitamin that is at a lower price point should still be better for your health than not taking it at all, so it is important to consider this when weighing up your options.

Your aim.

Don’t forget to think about what you actually want from your multivitamin. Is the goal to create a better balance in your body to promote healthy sleep, or to combat fatigue in your everyday life? It can help to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your health goals and find a multivitamin that can help you achieve them. It’s worth taking the time to make a note of any health concerns you may have and compare these with the benefits of specific vitamins and minerals to find a good combination that may help you address these issues.

Of course, a multivitamin will not solve every health concern and you will need to consider your health holistically to really make a difference to how you feel. A balanced diet, regular exercise and good sleeping habits can benefit you in many ways and the addition of a good multivitamin should be the cherry on the top of the cake!

Finding the support you need

Finding a multivitamin that works well for you means considering the factors we have discussed and then trying appropriate multivitamins to see whether they make a difference. You may notice a difference in your energy levels or mood quite quickly, but you may find that it takes a while for your body to adjust. You may want to ask your doctor for a blood test to check that your levels of essential vitamins are rising, especially if you have been diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Don’t forget that you can always adjust your selection or dosage to suit your body better, and this is an excellent way to take control of your health.

Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we stock a wide range of multivitamins and supplements and we can help you to find products that are suited to your health and your lifestyle. We have a selection of tablets, capsules, sachets and liquids that contain all the nutrients you need to get your health back on track. Talk to us to find out more about the options, and view our full range of health and beauty products online or in-store.

Contact us should you have any questions about your Multivitamin requirements.