How do you know when to take a multivitamin

Do I Need to Take a Multivitamin?

How do you know when you need to take a multivitamin? I often get asked this. The answer depends on your diet and lifestyle. For example, if you have a healthy diet, moderate exercise, healthy sleep, and no stress in your life, then you probably don’t need a multivitamin. But, how many of us can honestly say that we are achieving these goals?  I know I don’t, not every day. 

I would say to you that if you are not sleeping, you’re tired, stressed, or you are busy and, on the go, then it would be a great idea to take a multivitamin to top up on some of the basic nutrients required for health.  When you have a busy or stressful lifestyle, it can put your digestive system under pressure. This could lead to inadequate digestion and absorption of the food you are eating. Poor quality sleep can leave you tired, stressed, and irritable. So, with all this in mind I think most of us could do with topping up with a multivitamin. I would always suggest taking good quality Omega 3 Oils as well as most people do not achieve the levels required for health every day. I would highly recommend a multivitamin for poor eaters. 

Can I take a multivitamin if I am on medication?

If you are on medication it is always best to check with your GP or health provider before taking anything new. But I talk to people everyday who  have a health condition that they are concerned with, for instance, arthritis, high cholesterol, or a thyroid problem. In this situation I would probably also suggest a multivitamin and an Omega Oil to ensure that your base nutrient level is covered.

In this instance myself or my colleagues would talk to you in more detail about what is going on for you. We would talk about foods to eat and not to eat to help you feel better. There may be some lifestyle changes that you could make. Then make suggestions to help you deal with the condition you are looking for help with.  For example, we might suggest adding in Turmeric as a natural anti-inflammatory for pain, Ashwagandha for stress, or Magnesium for sleep. Something simple like adding in a B6 vitamin if you are on the pill.

We would take into account whether you are on any medication or not. Knowing if you are on any medication is important as some herbs or supplements may increase or decrease the effects of your medication. For example, we wouldn't recommend Turmeric  or Omega 3 Fish Oils if you are on blood thinners as these can also have a thinning effect on the blood. On the other hand some medication may cause nutritional deficiencies making it important to take a multivitamin or a specific vitamin to counter this. 

What is the best supplement to take?

What is the best supplement to take is a great question, but a difficult one to answer. This is because there we have so many amazing multivitamins to choose from.

The first question that I ask is do you have a preference over liquid, powder, tablet or capsule. I ask what is your diet like right now, are you stressed, busy, not sleeping, and what is your digestion like.  Once I know this I can discuss with you the various options that we have. If you have a weak digestive system or suffer from bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea, I would suggest a multivitamin that is in liquid or powder form for easy absorption at least initially.

Take a look at OptiYou, this comes in a sachet form that you add to water and contains nutrients to support immunity, energy, muscle health, and mental health. It is suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Source of Life Gold is a comprehensive liquid multivitamin, you take one capful per day straight, or in water or juice. It contains nutrients from over 110 fruits and vegetables of all colours, protein, omega, and digestive support as well as nutrients to support collagen product. It doesn't contain any iron, not everyone needs iron. It is great for energy and immunity.

Solo Nutrition is a comprehensive multivitamin perfect for busy lifestyles and periods of stress and when extra energy is needed. It is an easy to use one a day and as well as a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals it contains 50mg of CoQ10 perfect to help support energy levels in the body.

This is a selection of some of our top selling multivitamins.

I think that most of us do need a multivitamin at some time or other. This can be after a period of ill health, or after a spell of not eating as well as we normally do, definitely during busy or stressful times, when studying or during any stages of change in our lives.  Always choose quality supplements with no fillers, additives, binders, or artificial ingredients. You can choose from capsules, powders, or liquids. We can help you figure out what would be the best option for you. For more information and advice talk to us today.