We are bumping up to the end of the year, and people are looking at New Year's resolutions or changes to start the year off. Some say that I am biased when it comes to taking supplements, but I have seen many 80-year-old patients who come in and have been practicing supplementation for years, and they are doing well. The basis for taking supplements is that they fill the void from a diet that might not be optimal. Studies show that the fruits and vegetables we eat today have a fraction of the nutrients compared to 50 years ago. Even if we eat a healthy diet incorporating fruits and vegetables, we may need more nutrients for our bodies to run optimally. 

When focusing on multivitamins, there are four things to consider. The first is to help balance common nutritional inadequacies, as discussed above. The second is to support metabolic, cellular, and enzymatic functions, as micronutrients are necessary. Third is protection against toxins, which is done by taking antioxidants. The fourth reason is based on your needs, age, gender, and lifestyle factors.

I am often asked, "Doesn't diet give us all the nutrients we need?" Given the state of nutritional deficiencies and the need for metabolic functions, it probably is not. 

For instance, zinc is vital for the immune system and thyroid function, helps fight age-related macular degeneration, is used in the production and metabolism of testosterone, and even plays a critical role in heartbeat. The average adult dosages of zinc are between 15 mg and 50 mg daily, although aside from oysters, food sources do not have appreciable concentrations to balance lifestyle health challenges.

Most of the world population in industrialized nations is woefully low in vitamin D. Vitamin D provides immune support, is necessary for the healthy development of bones and teeth, and is critical for thyroid function, cardiovascular, cognitive health, and more. Lab tests suggest levels of 30 and above are adequate; research supports levels of 60 to 80 for optimal health.

It is estimated that 75% of North Americans ingest less than the RDA of magnesium. Considering magnesium is critical for heart, immune, hormone, metabolic, and cognitive health, supports relaxation, helps manage stress, and is needed to activate over 300 biochemical actions in the body, we need to get it elsewhere.

Co-Enzyme Q10 is necessary for heart, muscle, and immune health; our body manufactures very little.  CoQ10 is plentiful in foods if you eat a lot of liver.  Numerous medications, including statin drugs, beta-blockers, and diuretics deplete CoQ10.

As I stated in the article's title, choosing a multivitamin should be all about you. Most patients want that vitamin to be in a single dose taken once a day; I tell them for that to happen, the tablet would have to be the size of a hockey puck. We laugh, but then I tell them that I am serious. The minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, take up much space, adding to the size.

I am not a very compliant patient, so I take my vitamins when I brush my teeth, in the morning, and at bedtime; that's what works for me. Other patients have no problem handling multiple doses in a day. Finding the proper vitamin and regimen that works best for you is the key, and ensuring it is loaded with potent quality ingredients is a must.

My go-to multivitamin is Essential Multi by Nutridyn (pictured at the top of the article) because of its activated vitamins & minerals coupled with phytonutrients to protect your cells and maintain DNA stability. Why do I recommend Essential Multi vs. a less expensive alternative? That is a great question that I can quickly answer with one answer: QUALITY. You truly get what you pay for. It is loaded with nutrients designed to prevent disease and illness with the goal of optimal health. For those of you who don't need a multivitamin or want proof, you can do a micronutrient test to determine if you are deficient in nutrients for about $400.

We are so committed to getting patients to take a multivitamin that we will have our 30-day multivitamin challenge in January. You can buy Essential Multi for 25% off, and if you take it for a month and don't feel any different, bring it back, and we will refund your money.

If you would like more information on multivitamins or foundational nutrition, call the pharmacy @ 701-483-4858 or stop in and visit with my staff to answer any questions. Please visit my website at www.irsfeldpharmacy.com to find this and other archived articles in the blog section.

Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!!