By Cathy Hance, RPh
First and foremost, vitamin supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet. Eating a variety of foods allows you to get most of the nutrients you need. In general, we could all benefit from a multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplement as a safety net for gaps in our diet — especially since our food supply is affected by the environment (pollution) and many of our nutrients need to come from natural foods. Some people also need a MVM supplement because they are at risk for nutritional deficiencies. Examples are: the elderly, strict vegetarians, chronically ill, women of childbearing age or post-menopausal age and smokers.
Yes, work with your practitioner to determine if a MVM is right for you. This is especially important if you have a health condition or take prescription medication. If you already are taking a nutritional supplement, be sure to inform your practitioner.
For most people a basic MVM is fine. There are some cases where the specialty supplements may be worth a try. For example, a MVM for adults over 50 would have little or no iron because it is usually not necessary in this population. A men's supplement might include extra lycopene for prostate support. A women's supplement will usually have bone-supporting nutrients such as extra calcium and boron and will include more iron. Check with your practitioner or pharmacist to see if you could benefit from purchasing a specialty supplement.
You should look for a supplement that is pharmaceutical grade. This means that it meets strict standards for strength, purity and dissolution. You can ask your practitioner or pharmacist about which companies are pharmaceutical grade; some will have USP on the label to indicate this. Read the labels carefully. Make sure of the serving size and the amount of nutrients in each serving. Look for expiration dates on the bottle also because they can lose potency over time.
