Nearly 71% of Canadians have used natural health products, like vitamins and minerals.

 If you don’t take one regularly, and even if you do, you may not fully understand all that multivitamins do to support health.

The Role of Multivitamins 

Health experts favour food for meeting vitamin and mineral needs.  Natural Health Products, vitamins and minerals in particular, are meant to supplement the diet and are not substitutes for a balanced eating plan.

According to the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey Nutrition related findings indicate that only half of Canadian adults eat the minimum 5 daily servings of vegetables and fruit recommended; about 35% of adult Canadians consume enough milk products.  A shortfall of these and other nutrient‑rich foods can have an impact on the health of Canadians.

Who Benefits from Multivitamins 

Everyone who doesn’t eat a balanced diet can benefit from taking a multivitamin.  People who skimp on servings from one or more food groups, those following eating plans that eliminate certain foods, such as a gluten‑free diet, women in their childbearing years, and everyone over 50 may be at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Multivitamins can fill gaps in nutrient intake that could result in chronic conditions including osteoporosis, birth defects, anemia, and others.

Here are some of the most common nutrient deficiencies that multivitamins can help correct:

• Vitamin D: 
  • The Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin D, necessary to support bone health, is 600 International Units daily for adults under age 70 – the equivalent of six, 250 mL glasses of 2% milkⁱⁱⁱ  People over the age of 70 need eight glasses of milk to satisfy the suggested intake of 800 IU of vitamin D daily.  Just under one‑third of Canadians have adequate levels of Vitamin D, and in winter 40% of Canadians are below the adequate levels.  Inadequate blood levels of vitamin D can have a negative impact on bone health.^iv
• Iron: 
  • Women of childbearing age may fail to consume adequate iron, according to current Canadian data^v,vi,vii. Iron is found in foods including red meats, and fortified foods (cereals, pasta, breads and certain fruits and vegetables). Iron deficiency, is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, headaches, and problems concentrating.
• Folate/Folic Acid:
  • Women of childbearing age need to ensure they have enough folate, a B vitamin that occurs naturally in plant foods including spinach, beans, and broccoli. Folate, and its synthetic cousin folic acid that’s added to grains and multivitamins, helps prevent irreversible birth defects that occur very early in pregnancy. Experts advise women of childbearing age to consume at least 400 micrograms (ug) of folic acid daily from fortified foods and/or dietary supplements every day.^viii
• Vitamin B12:
  • Many people ages 50 and older are unable to absorb the vitamin B12 that occurs naturally in foods such as meat, seafood, and eggs.  A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to irreparable nerve damage. The synthetic form of vitamin B12, added to foods and to dietary supplements including multivitamins, is well absorbed by the body, which is why Canadians get most of their vitamin B12 from those sources.^ix 19% of Canadians take vitamin B12 supplements.viii

The Bottom Line

Multivitamins offer an array of nutrients for good health. Think of multivitamins as a well‑balanced, healthy lifestyle, and you will surely reap the benefits.

My basic recommendations for vibrant health is pharmaceutical-grade (which is an even higher standard than organic), scientifically tested for safety of upper-limit dosages, and manufactured in an FDA-registered facility. They’re also rated #1 in North America by 3rd party studies, tested by Consumer Labs.  If you would like to know more ask me.

Join my W.E.A.L.T.H program. You’ll detox your body and let the weight fall off as you learn how to keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day. You’ll learn how to eat and exercise for a slimmer waistline, better skin, more energy and a happier, Healthier You.
This is NOT a diet, this will become a lifestyle, a way of being that you’ll be able to do for your whole life, and want to because you feel so good!

To Your Health