In order to not compromise your health, you should take a multivitamin every single day. This will help protect you against any deficiencies you may now have. It is always best to get your vitamins from food first, if you feel that it's not possible with your lifestyle go ahead and include a multivitamin to your diet.

Benefits:

Nutritionist agree that a multivitamin is best if you are a typical on-the-go person that eats poorly. In general, look for a multivitamin that contains a wide variety of vitamins in the appropriate amounts, usually 100 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "get adequate vitamin D. It helps absorb calcium and many older people have vitamin D deficiencies. Taking a pill with 400 international units (IUs) of vitamin D will probably improve bone health. Get adequate vitamin B-6. This vitamin can help the immune system and may lower homocysteine, a risk factor for heart attacks. An older person can benefit from a variety of vitamins and minerals."

Do(s) and Don't(s):

A multivitamin with at least 2 milligrams is often a good idea. But avoid excess doses, excessive doses of some vitamins can be harmful. To help increase your daily intake of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, eat nuts, seeds and whole grains. This is especially important when you are dieting as your nutrient intake is not as much as when you are not. Even when you are not on a diet, it is very difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals.

Try to avoid excess iron. Excess iron may increase the risk of heart disease. If you`re a women beyond menopause or a man, a pill with less than 9 milligrams of iron should be fine.

It is always a good idea to tell your pharmacist and physician the amounts of vitamins you are taking because some vitamins can affect some medications and health conditions. Additive, chemical, synthetic and filler FREE, supplied in vegetarian capsules is your best choice. Most vitamins (including popular brand names) that come in tablet form are so compressed that they can't be broken down even by stomach acid. As a result most of the vitamin will pass right through you and that's like flushing money down the drain. Look for multivitamins in capsule or gelcap form. These will be the most absorbable.

Conclusion:

Think of the multivitamin as a proactive step to good health and as your insurance policy against many diseases. So, take your vitamins every day. Please consult with a professional before adding vitamins or minerals to your diet.