25Jul/104
Should I begin taking a daily multi-vitamin?
I'm a college student, and I'll be the first to admit I don't eat as well as I should. Its pretty much whatevers there or whatevers quick. I was thinking about starting to take a multivitamin to to help me stay a little more healthy. Are there any negative side affects of taking a vitamin daily? If you think this would be a good idea, could you offer me some recomendations of what kind/brand to buy?
July 25th, 2010 - 10:38
A daily multi-vitamin is probably a good idea for a lot of people. Most likely you are NOT terribly deficient, but if your diet is kinda junky it will help fill in the blanks.
Most common brands are fine: Centrum, One-A-Day, the Wal Mart "Equate" brand, Flinstones Children’s chewables…etc.
I prefer the children’s chewables simply because I hate swallowing pills…but whatever you choose will most likely be fine. You don’t need anything special for "Men" or "young adults" or whatever. A general one is fine because you ARE eating food…not starving.
Look for the "USP" label on supplements…that increases the chances it is a quality product.
In the meantime, do your best to improve your diet a bit. You can take all the vitamins and minerals and even some antioxidants in a pill…but you can’t replace everything in a fruit/vegetable or whole grain with a pill. There are simply too many beneficial plant chemicals in REAL fruits, veggies, and grains as well as fiber…that just can’t be bottled.
July 25th, 2010 - 10:38
I definately don’t see a downside to a multi.
I take LIFE brand, Spectrum chewables, because I suck at swallowing pills, lol, but ask a pharmacist and they’ll recommend a good one for you.
July 25th, 2010 - 10:38
I’ve heard (my mom is a vitamin nut) that the "natural" multi-vitamins are the best-and yes taking a vitamin will be good-can’t see how it could be a bad thing! GNC or really any store has vitamins these days!!
July 25th, 2010 - 10:38
One a Day makes one that is just for men.