About a year ago, one of my doctors suggested I start taking a multivitamin. So I found one that I really liked but didn’t see a huge improvement over the year. I then found out about this company called Rootine Vitamins! Rootine Vitamins uses your genetic information from either your 23AndMe, ancestry or blood level results! This gives you a personalized supplement that takes into account everything your body needs!!
You simply take a quiz and upload your genetic information and they give you a list of what your body needs and what they can supply you with to help! The cost comes out to be $2 a day so each month it is $60 for a custom supply of vitamins!
But this is #ScienceSunday after all! So let’s talk about the ways in which multivitamins are important.
Again I always say I am not a doctor, just a trendy scientist researching interesting topics. If you are thinking about starting a multivitamin please talk to your doctor first.
In an article written by Johns Hopkins University and another by Harvard that explain the long term effects of multivitamins, they both say that there is no definite evidence proving that multivitamins can prevent eventual mental dysfunction or cardiovascular issues.
On the other hand, there are individuals that believe in the importance of taking a multivitamin. They don’t suggest it as a way to compensate for a poor diet, rather to enhance a healthy diet and assist in getting the necessary vitamins and minerals.
While on the topic of vitamins and minerals let’s go over the most important ones we need to survive. The known vitamins are A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxal), B12 (cobalamin), biotin, and folic acid. The essential minerals are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, sulfur, cobalt, copper, fluoride, manganese, and selenium. These can all be attained through a healthy diet.
If you do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables then a multivitamin is a good way for you to get those necessary vitamins and minerals.
There are two populations that have been defined as needing to have multivitamins; the elderly and those of childbearing age. These two present with the possibility of not getting enough necessary vitamins and minerals as well as the fact that those wanting to become pregnant need extra folic acid to prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy.
This is very much a personal decision, so if you think you get enough of the essentials through your diet you will be just fine! But don’t just bypass it!! Give a thought!! Ask your doctor!! It could really help down the line!!
Xox, Z
