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By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine
If you’re a long-time reader, you’re probably aware of how often the mainstream media and medical communities have espoused the “worthlessness” of taking a multivitamin. Propaganda like this is a real shame. It confuses and disappoints the average person striving to stay healthy.
Case in point: Some people who have taken a multivitamin for years decide to stop after reports that they do nothing to enhance health. But now, there’s finally compelling evidence on why—and how—multivitamins contribute to better health. In fact, they may even make you younger!
Reduce Your Biological Age
A new study at the National Institute of Environmental Health indicates that people who supplement with a multivitamin tend to live longer, or have what they call a younger “biological age.” Your biological age is simple the age of the cells in your body. Scientists are able to determine a body’s biological age by looking at telomeres—DNA strands found at the end of our chromosomes that get progressively shorter as the body’s cells age. The shorter telomeres are, the older the cells are.
Cells are constantly multiplying, so it’s natural for the body’s cells to eventually die—a process known as apoptosis. But ideally, you want your cells to stay healthy for as long as possible. And that’s where multivitamins come in.
When the researchers compared the telomeres of those who regularly supplemented with a multivitamin with those who did not, they found that the multi users had telomeres that were approximately five percent longer than the non-multi users. In other words, those who supplement with a multivitamin have a cellular structure that’s in a younger state.
Two for the Road
Although this study looked at the overall protection cells get from a multi, the researchers also looked at specific nutrients and how they impact telomeres. After analyzing all the data, two vitamins seemed to really stand out: Vitamins C and E. Both of these nutrients were linked to longer telomeres.
So, should you take extra C and E? Probably, especially if you’re not getting five to nine servings of fruits and veggies per day. Most multivitamins contain smaller amounts of these two vitamins than your body needs for optimum health. To remedy this, take an extra 1,000 to 2,000 mg. of vitamin C and 400 IU of vitamin E along with your multi.
What to Look for
It’s estimated that just 35 percent of the population takes a multivitamin. This news should encourage others to start taking them as well. What should you look for when shopping for a supplement?
First, it’s important to know the main vitamins and minerals it contains. Does it contain vitamin A as beta-carotene? Is the vitamin D in the form of vitamin D3? Next, look to see what additional nutrients are in the supplement. Comprehensive multivitamins often include a variety of healthful botanicals.
If the supplement you’re looking at contains the vitamins you’re looking for, you should next find out what their percentages of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) are. Vitamins should be at least 100 percent of the RDA. Minerals, except iron, fluoride, phosphorus, and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, should be at least 50 percent. Be sure to check the mineral content of the product. Many multivitamin preparations do not have sufficient minerals, because they occupy too much space.
Your vitamin should be easily absorbed by the body. Many of the cheap brands don’t! This means that your body isn’t getting much benefit from them—you might as well be swallowing a jelly bean. Test your vitamin by placing it in a half-cup of white vinegar. If it’s still solid after a couple hours (it should dissolve much more quickly than that), then it’s not worth taking.
One Last Thing …
A lot of dietitians and doctors claim that, if you eat a varied diet, you don’t need vitamins. Not true! Unfortunately, the quality of the foods we eat isn’t what it used to be. In fact, several studies by food scientists, nutritionists, growers, and plant breeders clearly show that, as crop size gets bigger, the vitamins, minerals, and beneficial chemical compounds in produce significantly diminish.
Along with taking a multi, nutrient needs vary according to age and gender. For instance, women over 40 should take 1,200 to 1,500 mg. of calcium (in divided doses throughout the day) to promote bone health. Men over 50 may want to take beta-sitosterol or saw palmetto to keep their prostate healthy. And, everyone should take an extra vitamin D supplement (1,000 IU) for its many health benefits.
[ Editorial Note: For more information about a complete multivitamin program visit Healthier YOU and read about Next Generation. This unique food-based formula will have you feeling more energetic and healthier than ever!]
References:
Christen WG, et al. Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women: The Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2009; 169:335-341.
Xu Q, et al. Multivitamin use and telomere length in women. The American Journal of Nutrition. 2009;89:1857-1863.
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