Are you looking for the perfect combination of vitamins and minerals to help keep your body healthy? Are you aware of the different types available, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their potential side effects? If so, you’ve come to the right place! There are literally an endless number of different multivitamins on the market. Each one claims to provide the best combination of essential nutrients without any side effects. Which one is right for you?
While there are many different types of multivitamins on the market, they all have one thing in common: they’re all designed to help your body perform at its highest level. Some multivitamins will even come with an added energy booster, which is great for endurance athletes or those who work long hours away from home. But what do you look for when choosing an everyday men’s multivitamin? Check out our top four points to consider before buying the most effective product for your needs.
1. Backed by Research
Look for credible, independent research on the quality of each product you’re considering.
Many brands use third-party research to support their claims of effectiveness. However, when it comes to multivitamins, most manufacturers rely on more limited studies to support their claims of effectiveness; sometimes, it’s limited to a single study they’re drawing their claims from.
Dietary supplements are regulated differently than drugs by the FDA. There cannot be any misleading claims on the label that aren’t backed up by research. Those kinds of claims can be red flags for supplements making claims that their product cannot back up. Examples would be claims that the supplement will diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The benefits of vitamin and mineral supplements are supported by studies for some health conditions, but others aren’t yet proven. All the more reason to be an informed consumer and know what you’re buying (and putting in your body!)
2. Read the Label
Do they actually state what the ingredients are and how much of them are in each tablet or bottle? You’re also likely to notice that the product description provides little or no information about how the product works. This is because manufacturers are only required to list the ingredients in the most chemically-detailed terms possible.
Look for science-backed information on the benefits of each vitamin. While many brands will list the benefits of their products in the product descriptions, it’s a good idea to also look for science-backed information.
3. Check the Ingredients
Read the nutrition label on every supplement you buy to make sure it has all the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. If a brand is selling you a men’s multivitamin that does not have all the essential vitamins and minerals for men listed on the nutrition label, it’s probably not a good fit for you.
Also, be sure to check the quality of the multivitamin’s ingredients. You want to make sure that the vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you choose are all safe and effective. Keep in mind that not all vitamins and minerals are created equally. Some vitamins are better absorbed than others, and certain minerals have different properties. Do your research to make sure that it will meet your needs.
4. Aim for at Least 90%
Find a multivitamin that contains at least 90 total percent of your daily value for any key nutrients. This is a critical aspect of any men’s multivitamin. You want to make sure that the nutrient amount listed on the product is accurate and complete. Many brands skimp on the nutrient portion of the label in order to fit their product’s budget.
Vitamin B is found in most multivitamins and is regarded as the “healthiest” vitamin of all. Vitamin B helps with immunity and muscle and brain health and helps with heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Vitamin C can be a bit tricky to fit into a multivitamin. It’s not found in many of the cheaper options, and it’s harder to find in combination with other vitamins and minerals. In general, you should aim for at least 30% vitamin C in your multivitamin.
The Bottom Line
The wide array of vitamin supplements in today’s market can make it difficult to know where to begin. In order to get the most out of your men’s multivitamin, it’s important to look for one that has been independently verified as safe and effective.
To make it easier, you should choose a multivitamin that contains a balance of essential vitamins and minerals. When choosing a men’s multivitamin, you want to make sure that the nutrient amount listed on the product is accurate and complete. Be sure to also read the nutrition label on each supplement you buy to make sure it has all the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs. Be smart, safe, and healthy!