from eHow that made quite good reading
Definition
A multivitamin is made with the intention of supplementing nutrients that are missing from the human diet. They come in many forms capsules, tablets, powders, liquids and injections. Sadly, with the Industrial Age came the over-processing of our food supply and the packaging of preserved foods. In the processing of food there are a lot of natural vitamins and minerals stripped away. With the typical "American diet," supplementing nutrients becomes absolutely necessary to ensure better health. Most health conditions can be traced to a lack of certain nutrients in that person's diet.
Misconceptions
Sadly, most people are taking multivitamins every day thinking they are healthier for doing so, but that their bodies are getting nothing out of these supplements. There have been many studies showing that most pill forms of multivitamins come out looking almost the same as they did going in. This means the body doesn't digest them completely. Different nutrients need to be dissolved in different parts of the digestive system to be absorbed and used by the body. For that reason, there is no supplement that works better then eating a healthy diet. Ideally, we should be getting our nutrients from what we eat, but, that not being the case for most, the alternative is to find the best supplement available.
Considerations
In choosing a multivitamin, there are many things to consider. First taking a look at your diet may help to reveal nutrients that you are missing and what you need to supplement. Also having blood work done to look for nutritional deficiencies may help you to decide which vitamins you need to supplement. Age and activity levels also can change how you supplement your body; a certified nutritionist can help to assess your personal needs. Here's what to look for in a multivitamin: It should be cold-process manufactured; ensure delivery of different nutrients effectively; have a proven, sustained presence in the digestive system; and have a high absorption rate. When looking for all of those things, it would be good to talk with someone familiar with supplements at a local health-food store. Most multivitamin producers have conducted tests and will list information regarding the above-mentioned requirements on their labels.
Warning
Not all multivitamins are made the same, and making sure you are buying from a reputable manufacturer is a good idea. You can research vitamin companies on the Web and find out about their methods and reliability. When taking a multivitamin, there are also some precautions to consider regarding dosage. Do your research on which vitamins can be toxic in high doses, and never take more than the recommended dosage on the label of any supplement. Also some vitamins can cause drug interactions with prescription medications. Before starting any new supplement you should consult a physician. If you are pregnant, nursing, receiving treatment for a current medical condition or suffering from any medical condition you should check with your doctor before taking multivitamins.
Benefits
In conclusion, the effectiveness of a multivitamin totally depends on its quality. Generally speaking, a good multivitamin is effective for supplementing nutrients and making people healthier. The alternative of suffering vitamin and mineral deficiencies is grim; most people will eventually end up seeking medical treatment for these types of deficiencies because they will start to suffer related health conditions. Just like the scurvy outbreaks that where treated by supplementing vitamin C in the sailors' diets, many health issues people suffer from today can be helped by including an effective multivitamin in your diet.
Read more: Effectiveness of Multivitamins | eHow.com
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