What is the Best Multivitamin?

 By David J Kamau
You want to do right by your family and your own body by feeding it the nutrients it needs to function well. With this in mind, what is the best multivitamin?

With so many to choose from, searching is a daunting prospect when the consumer is not armed with information. Many companies will tell you it is their brand, but finding the best requires a look at many components.

For one thing, who is taking the vitamin? Is it an adult woman or male? Will your young child take the product, or a teenager? Pregnant women are advised to take a multivitamin for their specific needs. Each of these individuals requires something different according to age, sex and so on.

Your next decision revolves around product format. Many people believe that liquid vitamins are absorbed into the body more thoroughly than any other media. They often contain all-natural ingredients too, which health food sales people will tell you make these products better than synthetic. (Many experts actually dispute this claim). The trouble is that you could end paying more for little or no additional benefit.

Chewable and capsule-type multivitamins form the more common types. There are numerous examples at lower costs than liquid vitamins in both synthetic and natural varieties. For kids, chewable versions may simply taste better than liquid ones which also look a bit yucky compared with a brightly colored cartoon shape. These, being more like candy, will go down much more easily than a large pill seemingly made for a rhinoceros too.

For kids and for older consumers, there is no point buying a product which is too big to swallow or which tastes so bad you put off taking it. Whether it is the best brand or not, if a product sits in your cupboard the vitamins do you no good. Consumers are better off purchasing something palatable, even if the quality cannot be considered best.

More than vitamins, your supplement should contain minerals and other ingredients if they are to work to optimal effect. This is because many ingredients work together to improve function. If we were to eat a natural diet without supplements and fulfill our daily requirement of minerals, vitamins and so on, our diets would be varied to include numerous vegetable, whole grain and protein components.

We could never survive on just one of these. Nor will a vitamin work optimally without these other supplements. Unfortunately, consumers must expect to pay more for such a thorough product.

Another option comes from the liquid meal replacement shake. Lots of companies have entered the market in the last few years, eager to take advantage this popular way to maintain good health, lose weight and absorb appropriate amounts of vitamins.

Check these out carefully for what types they contain as well as other ingredients for sweetening and bulking up the finished, blended product. Ingredients in certain brands are not suitable for vegans or gluten intolerant. Others are made especially for their benefit. Beware of drinks with too much sugar and artificial sweeteners, however, even if the spectrum seems good and the fat content is low.

The same goes for chewable vitamins. While no child is likely to accept a tablet that tastes like kale, there are many sweeteners out there, many of them natural. Feeding your kids chemicals and colorant is unnecessary, though again, often cheaper. Companies which sell the tablets and chewable vitamins are coming out with products to meet the needs of specific dietary requirements.

9 Vital Tips for Choosing The Best Multivitamin to Take

 By Oscar Strain
Consult any current medical journal and you will find that it is widely accepted that most adults should be taking a daily multivitamin. This is largely due to modern day diet and farming methods, meaning that we don't get the nutrition we once did from our daily food intake. With so many options how do you choose the best multivitamin to take?

1. FAST AND EASILY ABSORBED CASE/COATING
The best multi-vitamins are easily absorbed by your body and should be coated by something that is easy to break down in your stomach - such as a rapid release capsule shell. If the vitamin coating is too robust, it will pass through you and into your toilet before anything of nutritional value has been released into your stomach.

2. FAST AND EASILY ABSORBED CONTENT
Food form vitamins and minerals such as provided by plants and herbs are the best quality and are easily recognised by your body. Through the ages your body has been used to absorbing vitamins from foods, but does not easily recognise or process synthetic chemically manufactured drugs, vitamins and medicines. If the nutrients aren't absorbed by your body quickly then they will pass through you before any benefit can be derived.

3. CHEMICAL OR FOOD FORM?
Chemicals can be brilliantly effective and many aspects of life are dependent on them - but they are not useful for nutrition. If the supplement you choose has a list of ingredients as vitamin names and minerals, with no sign of food sources, then you can assume it is chemical base. A food form vitamin will have a list of food sources and may not even mention specific vitamins by name - as you'll see later in the article this isn't something to worry about.

4. SUITABLE AND TIGHTLY SEALED PACKAGING
Obviously a tightly and fully sealed container should be a given with any supplement so if you receive a product not sealed then do not use it. The vitamins should be able to be stored and kept cool, ensuring they do not break down before you get a chance to use them. This is especially an issue with chemically manufactured vitamins.

5. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Although not always this is usually true in most aspects of life and certainly is when it comes to vitamin supplements. The cheapest way to make multivitamins is chemically and the most expensive is using food forms such as spirulina, alfalfa, barley grass and wheat grass etc.
As food form vitamins absorb a lot better than chemicals, although you pay more, you generally get much better value.

6. LIQUID OR SOLID FORM?
Despite claims from some companies (usually favouring one form or the other) this does not make any difference. The body does not absorb one form better than the other. It is what the multi-vitamin contains that is important - not what form it comes in.

7. DOSAGE AMOUNTS
This is a minefield and often a source of great confusion for people shopping for multi-vitamins. Packaging usually contains an RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) which is a minimum recommended amount. There are many health 'gurus' out there eager to tell you that you need so much of a specific vitamin, otherwise something horrible will happen.
The reality is dosage is largely theoretical anyway so shouldn't be a primary concern - unless you have concerns about overdosing. The amount of nutrition your body absorbs is the key - not the amount that has been chemically manufactured into the supplement in a lab. If you have a supplement which looks very strong but which your body can't absorb then it is pointless taking any notice of the label.
As mentioned you should be aware of overdosing though. Vitamin K, B complex, A and E can be dangerous in high doses.

8. WHAT'S NOT IN IT?
What's not in your supplement is another factor to consider when looking for the best supplements. You should avoid multi-vitamins that are full of complex sugars or chemical colour additives. You're buying a health supplement - not a child's cereal or a toy.

9. EVERYONE IS PHYSIOLOGICALLY DIFFERENT
Every person has different needs and reacts differently to nutrition absorbed. Nutrition is often a personal thing so just because one product works great for you it doesn't mean they will be great for everyone. Obviously the opposite is also true.
It may be that the first multivitamin you try is not for you. You may find that you get a reaction you don't want such as hyperactivity (ginseng can cause this) or excess gas (sometimes associated with alfalfa). Quite often such reactions go away once your body has time to adjust so it is worth persevering for a while. You should also expect an initial uplift in energy levels.
Once you have chosen a vitamin give it a try for 2-3 weeks. If you are still getting reactions you're not happy with then try a different one. Remember - finding the correct multivitamin for YOU is what you are really trying to achieve.

CONCLUSION
As you can see there is a lot to consider when looking for the best multivitamins. Look for something which will easily be absorbed and preferably in food form as opposed to chemically manufactured. Don't get too worried about vitamin content as it is what your body absorbs which counts. Good multivitamins will most definitely not be the cheapest but will probably offer the best value. Even good supplements may not be right for you so try different ones if necessary until you find the best multivitamin for you.

Essential Multivitamins - 8 Types of Multivitamins With Great Benefits

 By  Jenifer Gate
It is always good to understand the great types of essential multivitamins out there and their compositions. Some of the best multivitamins are;

A child's multivitamins: these types of multivitamins are prepared to serve the needs of babies who are growing. They play a crucial role in helping children who lack balanced diet or simply selective eaters. A child's multivitamin should include enough amounts of vitamins plus minerals in the right levels (there should be overdosing). The perfect dose should give the child no less or more than 100% of minerals as well as vitamins.

A man's multivitamins: they are meant to offer men with the formulation of vitamins and minerals to remain strong and healthy. Men's multivitamins should include 700mg in phosphorus, vitamin C- 90mg, vitamin E-15mg, calcium-1000mg, magnesium-410mg, niacin-16mg, vitamin B6-1.3mg, vitamin B12-2.4mg, folate-400mg and riboflavin-1.3mg. However, you need to seek advice of your doctor about the quantity of these vitamins and minerals.

Prenatal multivitamins: they provide pregnant mothers with essential multivitamins to nourish them and their growing babies in the womb. These multivitamins are aimed at supplementing pregnant mothers who suffers from morning sickness. This formulation is aimed at making sure mothers receive sufficient folic acid before thinking of conceiving and about 600mcg when they eventually conceive.

Senior multivitamins; seniors get very little vitamins as well as minerals needed to keep them strong and healthy. Even if some seniors may take in vitamin, some are faced with conditions that make them find it difficult to eat. Most seniors do not take needed levels of vitamin D and a host of other vitamins are wanting.

Women's multivitamins: the healthy of women is just unique which is why their multivitamin needs are high than men's. For example. Women experiencing childbirth require more of vitamins and minerals since their blood levels drops each time they give birth. Iron, calcium and folic acid must be included in their daily diet.

Antioxidant multivitamins: the importance of this type of multivitamin forms an integral part of the woman's body. It helps in neutralizing the movements of the free radicals within the woman's body. These free radicals basically destroy and ultimately disturb configurations of vital body cells e.g. the cell membrane. Antioxidants help bind notorious contaminants hence eliminating harmfulness in them.

Folate: forms part of the elemental growth of the central nervous system and is viewed as the nutrient used making the RNA and DNA which are building base of cells. Folate is also known to avert any changes on DNA hence help arrest cancer. The problem of closing down of spine imperfectly is checked.

Vitamin B6: it joins the list of essential multivitamins normally referred to as pyridoxine whose role is to help in metabolism and set the ball rolling for perfect brain performance. It is deficiency welcomes anemia and greater usage can be poisonous.

How to Go Vitamin-Hunting and Find the Best Multi-Vitamin for You

 By  Mario SK Churchill
So you think you need a multi-vitamin? Here is a short guide to help you find the best multi-vitamin product to use.


Do you have a special multi-vitamin requirement?
Everyone needs the same group of vitamins. We only differ on the dosage because of certain differences such as our habits, lifestyles and health condition. A person who doesn't get enough sunlight, for example, will need extra Vitamin D compared to someone who gets regular sunshine.

Age and certain conditions are also a consideration for the type and dose of multi-vitamins you need to use. Children's multi-vitamin requirements, for example, differ from the needs of adult men and adult women. Pregnant women also have special multi-vitamin needs. And as you progress in life, the recommended daily allowance for certain vitamins may also increase or decrease.

How do I find the best multi-vitamin?
When you have so many choices (and we mean many), it can get downright confusing when it comes to deciding which multi-vitamin to buy. One keyword search in the internet and you'll get millions of hits, each one a promise that it is the best multi-vitamin brand around. So how do you search for the best multi-vitamin for you?

Put your trust on reputation. There are many companies that claim too many things about their products which are often bogus. But then, there are also upstarts that operate an honest-to-goodness business. Check consumer reports or go the Better Business Bureau website and search for complaints lodged against these companies and their products.

Read the label. Don't buy a multi-vitamin product with no labels to indicate the percentage of recommended daily allowances and a list of active ingredients. The label should tell you what each pill consists of and how much of the ingredient was used. If the list of ingredients is not included, you risk taking a multi-vitamin with components that cause side effects.

If there is an ingredient you don't recognize, ask your pharmacist or do some research. Many multi-vitamin products don't just contain vitamins; they also contain herbal ingredients, some of which have unproven effects.

Look for the expiry date. The manufacturing date is also indicated on the label and can indicate that the product is good for 6 months to about 2 years. The multi-vitamin product should also come with a return policy.

How do you take your multi-vitamin?
Multi-vitamin products are commonly manufactured in tablet form. When they enter your body, they disintegrate, get absorbed and later enter the bloodstream. There are also gel capsules that release the multi-vitamins once the protective covering is dissolved. These forms are ideal for people who prefer the convenience and ease of use and storage.

Multi-vitamins can also come in powder and liquid forms and are often mixed with food and drinks. If you dislike swallowing pills or tablets, you might want to use these instead.

What are the vitamins that should go into a multi-vitamin pill?
Multi-vitamins are not necessarily complete. Some may even contain just three or five of the most important vitamins and may already be marketed as multi-vitamins. However, don't rule these out yet. If you only need certain combinations of vitamins, these can come in handy.

If you prefer multi-vitamin products that you can take regularly, go for those that contain all or most of the following vitamins:

- Antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins such as A, C, D, E and K.
- Water-soluble vitamins such as the B group: B1, B2, B3 or niacin, B6, B12, folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid.

What is the advantage of taking multi-vitamin products?
The first is that a multi-vitamin product is already complete. You don't need to take 5 or 10 pills in order to complete your daily dose. Second, there is no fear of overdosing on fat-soluble vitamins because they come in the appropriate amounts. And third, multi-vitamin products are convenient. They are easy to find, purchase, use and store.

Select Source - American Made Multivitamin

 By  Kevin Agrawal
It's no secret that we're seeing more safety alerts, health advisories and product recalls than ever before. Daily, the warnings leap out at us from our newspapers and TV screens. We are being made acutely aware of the inherent dangers of purchasing foreign-made products. And virtually no product category has been spared. Toothpaste, pet food, doll accessories, ceramics, cosmetics, toys, jewelry, lunch boxes, baby bottles, tires... the list of foreign-made products that evidence contamination is huge...and still it continues to grow.

Why are so many of the unsafe products foreign-made? Because in an effort to grow their economy, many developing nations have adopted less restrictive regulatory measures concerning the use of chemicals that would be banned or severely restricted in this country. In addition, many continue to use unsafe pesticides and herbicides in their soil that ultimately end up in the products that are grown in this environment. The scientific community has known of these practices for years. But now the dangers of such lax controls are becoming apparent to the mainstream world. Clearly, low quality is a poor compromise for low price.

So obviously, when it comes to choosing a multivitamin, you want it to be as clean, healthy and risk-free as possible. And most of all, if you have a choice, you don't want it to be foreign-made. So, how do you know the country of origin of the ingredients in your multivitamin? You look at the label, right? Wrong! It won't tell you what you want to know because there's no regulation that requires the country of origin to appear on a nutritional supplement.

But now there is a multivitamin that has lifted this veil of secrecy. It's called Select Source Multivitamins. This is the first nutraceutical that voluntarily lists the country of origin for each ingredient. Select Source uses as many ingredients as possible from the United States. The remaining ingredients are selected from countries like Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom and also South America. These are places where quality and integrity are clearly evidenced in their business ethics.

And lastly, all the ingredients in Select Source Multivitamins are assembled in the United States under pharmaceutical-grade procedures and in a certified Good Manufacturing Practice facility where quality control guidelines are always in place to ensure the finest, purest and safest supplements that modern technology can achieve.

Select Source has taken a bold step in the supplement industry and it seems that the public has taken notice and it's changing their priorities. Today, when consumers are asked what is most important factor that influences which nutritional supplement you purchase, many still say cost...but many more are saying country of origin.

Multivitamins Start The Day Right

 By  Dane Swanson
You get up in the morning. The sun is shining. You are feeling good. You Stretch. Suddenly your stomach growls. The last time you ate was at dinner about ten hours ago. You need to have something to eat.

You walk out to the kitchen and open the refrigerator to see what is available for breakfast. You pour yourself some juice. You put the coffee cup on the table. You cut up some fruit. You toast two slices of wheat bread. In a bowl you pour some oatmeal. And you take out your multivitamins.

Yes, I said multivitamins. Because you know you can't get all your daily nutrient needs from what you eat. If the truth be told you would rather skip breakfast and get something at the nearest Fast food restaurant. But you promised your girl that you were going to start to eat better.

You take out the bottle of multivitamins and extract one. You look at the back to see just what it is you are taking. You have always wondered.

You see on the back a long list of letters. Why, you wonder do the vitamins come in letters? Why can't you have the ingredients in plain language?

You see A there. You notice two terms there Beta-Carotene and Retinal. From science class you recall this vitamin helps in the treatment of some eye disorders. It handles night blindness. A will promote bone growth, teeth development and reproduction.

You can also use it in the treatment of acne and boils. Imagine that.

You keep looking and what is the next letter? C You heard somewhere that this is also called Ascorbic Acid. It promotes healthy capillaries and gums and teeth. C will also help heal wounds burns and broken bones. Somewhere you have heard it helps develop collagen. Collagen is a connective tissue that aids in your adrenal gland function. C is also capable of reducing free-radical production.

Next you notice vitamin D. This vitamin you know something about. It helps regulate growth as well as repairing bones. You have heard it is an aid in reducing a risk of cancer of the colon and the breast.

The next letter you see listed is E. It helps protect against cancer. You recall this protects against prostate cancer. That reminds you about that checkup you have been putting off.

Wow. There is still more to come. Look at all those B listings.

You notice B-1 also known as Thiamine. A friend of yours who had a case of herpes takes lots of B-1. Aunt Alice who for a while was depressed took B-1 and she is doing fine.

B-2 is next. You read the word riboflavin. A two bit word if you have ever seen one.

Niacin. What have you heard about Niacin? Gives you hot flashes if you take too much too fast. Slow and easy does it.

B-5 and B-6. You heard that B-6 helps in the production of Serotonin which may help you sleep. You want to be able to sleep.

Folic Acid is next. You recall hearing some doctor say you don't need much of this vitamin after child bearing years. Whether that is true or not is up for debate.

B-12 which Uncle Jim took when he was starting to get senile and seems to have a gentle case of Alzheimer's is listed. Yes, have to take that one. Don't want to be like dear old uncle.

Biotin, you recall, helps form your skin, hair and nail cells.

Calcium is listed there after all those other letter. You have heard that it slows down osteoporosis. Also you have heard it has something to do with bring down your blood pressure. That is something you have to watch.

So you take your vitamin. You remind yourself to ask your doctor to see what he recommends. Not all vitamins are equal and every person has different needs.

Top Multivitamins

 By  Mickele Ross
You know it's crazy that people spend hundreds of dollars every month on supplements but yet they don't see the need to spend a few bucks on top quality multivitamins...I can relate to these people because I myself was a former non-vitamin user. I figured with all of the supplements I take, and if I eat right then I didn't really need a multi vitamin. Sometimes I picked up a bottle at the local pharmacy but it was not high on my priority list like say...my NO Xplode! However after realizing the effects that exercise, especially weight training has on your body, then I definitely saw that a quality multi vitamin is definitely needed in order to reach workout goals.

Choosing a multi vitamin can be tricky. Vitamin supplements range from a few bucks all the way up to a few hundred dollars, but in my opinion price is not a direct correlation of quality when it comes to top multivitamins. Very popular and trusted brands such as Centrum silver and One a Day's are very good for the average person.

Some multi vitamins may upset the stomach and this is why many people do not take them. The solution to this is to take them with a meal, since vitamins usually need some fat to help with absorption into the body. If this does not work then try another, it may just be the makeup of that specific multivitamin that is causing the problem.

If you are into rigorous exercise and weight training then something a little more advance may be required. Through many recommendations I decided to try Animal Pack and I haven't looked back since. I definitely feel a difference while taking Animal Pack's multi vitamins, but it is REALLY noticeable when I stop. If you feel sluggish, and tired while working out or abnormally wasted when you are done, then a vitamin deficiency may be the culprit. This was the way I felt on many occasions when using a shop brand multi vitamin or none at all, and since I started Animal Pack I definitely notice a difference in my overall feeling of wellness. Other great multivitamins are GNC Mega Men and AST Multi pro pack 32x. All of these can be bought for under $25.

Remember, a top multivitamin doesn't always have to be expensive, however for someone who is weight training it is a good idea to get one that is designed to replace the nutrients that your body expends during workouts, especially if your eating habits are not 100% on point.

The Problem With Multivitamin Supplements

 By  Kenneth M Miller
When shopping for multivitamin supplements, the first thing that easily comes to our attention are the list of benefits listed on the bottle. This can easily convince us, but what most of us don't know is that we should be looking at how these supplements are prepared to ensure that you are getting one that is safe and most of all effective.

But unbeknownst to most of us is that there so many multivitamin supplements that are prepared and manufactured under poor standards. In fact reports and studies show that a lot of brands in the market, even the popular ones are teeming with less than the stated doses of nutrients or dangerous chemicals known as fillers.

The result now would be you having less than what you think you are paying for, and the worst part is that you also gradually accumulate these unhealthy components into your system which in the long run can be toxic.

Another problem that most people are unaware about with multivitamin supplements is that some manufacturers are using synthetic versions of some of the multivitamin components. A synthetic form is always not as good as the organic or true one, and it always doesn't provide the best results.

In fact with vitamin E for instance, an essential nutrient which is popular for being one of the most potent antioxidants, also has a synthetic version. This less effective form is derived from petrochemical sources, and instead can even contribute to liver damage or cause endocrine system problems.

Even the synthetic versions of vitamin A acetate can contribute to resulting birth defects instead of improving the health of your immune system, your vision and in the inhibition of cancer development.

It's either these products utilize poor research and development methods, or it is simply taking the much cheaper means for production.

So a good piece of advice would be to get to know more about a product if you really want to be healthy.

A wise consumer should ask and research on the products that he/she would put her trust and health to. A good brand would be transparent to their consumers when presenting their complete list of ingredients, their corresponding doses (preferably within the recommended dietary intake), and their manufacturing process.

Rather than just browsing through the writings at the front of the bottle or the list at the back, you can still go further by asking whether this particular multivitamin supplement will really make you healthy. Contact the company or go to their website. Or you can simply follow certain guidelines on how to spot the good brands which we will be taking up later on.

What most people fail to realize is that there are popular brands that are even endorsed by doctors and many health experts, but they are infused with these potentially toxic substances. Some give less than what you need which in effect doesn't provide the nutritional benefits that your body requires, while some also has too much, which can also be detrimental in the long run.

The sad part is that we readily rely on the information being served to us through expensive advertising or even through word of mouth. But what you really need to do is find a multivitamin supplement that CAN make you healthy. You see, the problem with most brands out there is that they either provide less or too much than they claim and some can simply rob you off good health.

Discover The List Of Reasons To Take A Multivitamin Supplement

 By  Cindy Amorin
Many people everyday power up their computers in search for a list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement. However, before we delve into the reasons, let's provide you with a few examples on just how complex and complicated nutritional biochemistry is so that you can make an informed decision about the list of reasons to take a multivitamin.


Do you know that zinc will not function without vitamin B6, nor can some enzymes be made without it?

Here are a couple more examples to show you how complicated nutritional biochemistry is, both selenium and magnesium need vitamin B6 in order to function correctly and selenium is the synergist for vitamin E, meaning if you're taking a vitamin E supplement but you are selenium-deficient, you will not reap the full benefits from vitamin E.

Bottom Line

No nutrient is an island unto itself and, as such, every nutrient requires other nutrients as cofactors, either for activation or function from each of the nutrient categories vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. For activation, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids require enzymes, and for function, essential fatty acid also required.

Now that we have explained just how complex and complicated nutritional biochemistry is, the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement will make more sense to you.

One of the most powerful arguments among experts is whether or not supplements are really necessary if you eat a healthy diet. While the arguments continue in the 21st century chronic illness and disease are skyrocketing even among the youngest of children. Indeed, we are all aware that diets that mainly consist of junk foods are main contributors to ill health. However, there are other challenges we are faced with in regards to good nutrition and obtaining optimal health.

So, can you get all the nutrients you need simply by eating a healthy diet? Quite honestly many experts say no and their reasons are multifaceted, but put simply we live in the modern civilized world.

In the good old days, our ancestors lived in pristine conditions and were given all the necessary components needed to maintain good health. Water came from natural sources and it was clean and pure. It also contained certain minerals, and those minerals served an essential purpose in promoting good health. Back then the air was fresh and clean, the skies were bright and clear, and food was rich in nutrients.

In fact, if we step back to just 100 years ago we would discover that most foods were grown and raised on small farms. Farmers rotated their crops regularly to avoid soil exhaustion and to maintain rich and healthy soil. Healthy rotated soil meant the best harvest. Livestock were allowed the freedom roam and graze at will on nutrient rich foods and, as such, food prepared from this livestock was hardy and nutritious. Indeed, back then, they did not need a list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement because they didn't need to supplement their diets.

So, what happened?  Here's the list of reasons to take a multivitamin.

First, let's take a look at our soil since then. According to the 1992 Earth Summit Soil Mineral Depletion Analysis, the United States has the worst soil in the world - 85% mineral depleted. Minerals are naturally occurring elements found in earth. Minerals are also present in plants and animals, but they are imported. Plants get minerals from soil and animals get minerals by eating plants. This means that our foods have declined in nutritional value to help us to sustain optimum health.

Second, we now live in a highly toxic environment. Our research indicates that there is an estimated seven billion pounds of toxins and chemical agents added to our water, air and food each year. In fact, our bodies now contain between 300-500 known toxins in our tissues that were not found in humans prior to 1940. Toxins in our homes are said to be 5 times higher than those outdoors and 3-5 times more dangerous. There inescapable...there everywhere even in places as remote as the North Pole where Santa lives. This is due to the nature of wind, rain, and weather.

But wait, there's more on the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.

Third, our modern day diet is depriving us of even more essential nutrients. In the good old days there were no additives, preservatives, processed, refined, or prepackaged foods. Man had to hunt and gather food since there were no grocery stores. There were no white bread bushes or donut trees. There were no drive-through windows or canned, cooked, dried or packed in heavy sugar syrup fruits and veggies. Man did not have the option to pull French fries out of the ground and kick back with a soft drink. Back then man consumed food that was natural, fresh and highly nutritious.

Fourth, commercial farming which consist of pesticides, insecticides, and chemical fertilizers comes with a price. The cost is the loss of nutritional value of our crops. Moreover, mass production of fruits and vegetables has robbed us of even more essential nutrients because premature harvesting does not allow them to reach their natural peak of nutrition. Foods are often picked before they are ripe and allowed to ripen in transit.

Here's food for thought on just how much our fruits and veggies have declined in nutritional value. In fact, the below example will give you a clearer picture in regards to the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.

Two peaches back in 1951 would have provided the current RDA requirements of vitamin A for adult women. Today, a woman would have to consume almost 53 peaches to meet her daily requirements of vitamin A.

Sad, isn't it!

But wait, there's even more on the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.

Fifth, trace levels of pharmaceutical drugs are now present in our surface water, groundwater, drinking water and sewage. Studies have shown some 50 to 90 percent of ingested pharmaceutical drugs are not metabolized, and leave the body in urine and feces and enter the sewage system. Moreover, hospitals and nursing homes routinely dispose of "vast quantities" of unused pharmaceuticals. According to our research the ultimate effects of these numerous pharmaceutical drugs that we drink in minute amounts daily are yet unknown.

Yet, even more on the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.

Sixth, stress, whether psychological or physical or due to injury or illness, depletes the body of vital nutrients. Indeed, another important factor in regards to the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement.

Seventh, many prescription and even non-prescription drugs can interact with nutrients and, over time, can cause nutrient depletion.

Eighth, heat destroys many valuable nutrients in foods. This is why many experts recommend eating a diet high in raw foods whenever appropriate.

Lastly, we are all aware of the health effects air pollutants have on the human body as it too contributes to ill health. In fact, medical research has established that environmental chemicals contribute to degenerative diseases.

While we have not exhausted the list of reasons to take a multivitamin supplement, the aforementioned list gives you excellent clues on supplemental necessity.

It's important to remember that human body was actually designed to defend, heal, and protect itself from harmful threats when given the proper tools, which is good nutrition.

Indeed, when given these harsh challenges many experts feel that you cannot depend on food alone to provide you with all of the nutrition you need for optimal health. This is why health conscious enthusiast advises everyone to take nutritional supplements.

In fact, most physicians today recommend, at the very least, a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. However, figuring out what supplement to take for optimal health is a lot like buying major health insurance or trying to make sense of all the medical charges after a major surgery -- confusing and complicated. It does help if you familiarize yourself with the functions of nutrients.

While nutritional supplements can fill in the gaps it is not an adequate substitute for a good diet. In other words, supplements can enhance a healthy diet and are not a substitute for it.

Keep in mind that not all multivitamins are created equal and nowadays there are nutraceutical companies that produce multi nutrient supplements that go far and beyond the basic multivitamin and mineral product. For example, the product may include special antioxidant nutrients such as green tea extract that are much more powerful than vitamins C and E, and it may also include many other natural nutrients that promote a host of healthful benefits that simply will not be found in a low end basic multivitamin and mineral supplement.