Is A Multivitamin Necessary?

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are powerful nutrients.  They are essential to protect your cells from free radical damage.  Antioxidants may slow down, prevent, and possibly reverse certain diseases that result from cellular damage.   

It is theorized that a diet rich in antioxidants may reduce and even prevent diseases like macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, and even cancer.  It is also widely believed that an antioxidant rich diet can strengthen your immune system. If you’re a work at home parent, then you know you cannot afford to get sick! So what is the solution and how do you get enough antioxidants in your diet?

Vitamins C and E

While Vitamin E is found in egg yolks, dark leafy vegetables, and nuts and seeds, it is difficult to obtain in adequate amounts and supplementation is often recommended. 

Also water-soluble, Vitamin C needs to be consumed every day for optimal benefit.  Vitamin C is critical for the synthesis of protein and collagen, and it is also a powerful antioxidant like Vitamin E and it protects your cells from free-radical damage.  Vitamin C also helps recycle vitamin E.

Good sources of vitamin C include; citrus, tomatoes, and potatoes. Other foods that are rich in C are papaya, broccoli, strawberries, spinach, melons, kiwifruit, cranberries and red peppers.
The most abundant sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils such as palm oil, sunflower, grapeseed oil, corn, and olive oil. Other sources of vitamin E are whole grains, fish, peanut butter, and some green leafy vegetables.

There have been many studies on the benefits of antioxidants, yet it can be difficult to get all that your body needs each and every day – particularly if you're an active person that may need more than the RDA.  This is why supplementation can be helpful.

Vitamin B Complex and Minerals 

There are many other nutrients that are associated with building a strong immune system.  Among them are zinc, iron, and vitamins B6 and B12.

Supplementing your daily nutrition with a multivitamin and mineral supplement that provides 100% of the Daily Values will go a long way to keeping you healthy and strong throughout the year, no matter how hard you work your body! 

An easy way to make sure you’re getting all of the nutrition your body needs is to consider adding a multivitamin to your daily routine. Not all vitamins are created equal. When comparing multivitamins, there are many factors to rate your supplements by. 

• How easy are they to take?
• How bioavailable are they?
• How much of the RDA do they provide of all vitamins and minerals?
• Are the vitamins sustained release?
• Do they consider your specific nutrient needs?