There are several reasons to take a potent multivitamin and mineral supplement. Research shows that shoring up your nutrient status can bolster the immune system, reducing incidence of colds, flu, and sick days taken from work. A good multi can also help stave off chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. And new research shows that starting children on multivitamins early may prevent allergies down the line.
In the October issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists reported the results of a study examining the correlation between allergies and multivitamin use in more than 2,400 8-year-old children. They found that the kids who began taking a multi before or at age 4 were less sensitive to food allergens. The children taking vitamins also had a decreased risk of developing allergic rhinitis (allergies). The researchers concluded that early use of multivitamin supplements had the potential to reduce risk of allergies in school-age children.
For more on this study, click here.
Parents and grandparents, this is one more reason to start your kids on vitamins early. But even if you or the children in your life didn’t get a jumpstart, there’s no time like the present. I believe that a potent daily multivitamin/mineral combination is the foundation for good health.
Don’t be fooled by those one-a-day multis out there. Most only offer the paltry RDAs (recommended daily allowances), and I don’t believe these amounts are adequate. Instead, look for a combination product that contains the following (or similar) daily dosages:
Vitamin A – 15,000-20,000 IU (mostly as beta-carotene)
Vitamin C – a minimum of 1,000 mg
Vitamin D – a minimum of 800 IU
Vitamin E – 400 IU
Vitamin B6 – 60-75 mg
Vitamin B12 – 150 mcg
Folic Acid – 400-800 mcg
Calcium – a minimum of 500 mg, preferably 1,000 mg
Zinc – 15-30 mg balanced with 1-2 mg of copper
Magnesium – 500 mg
