What to Look for in a Multi-Vitamin

Reports from 2017–2018 show that nearly 40% of U.S. adults aged 60 and older took a daily multivitamin.¹

Many commercial formulas, however, fall short of the benefits possible from obtaining higher potencies and bioactive forms of certain vitamins.^2,3

Most consumers don’t know the difference.

When selecting a multivitamin, both dosage and bioavailability are crucial factors, particularly as nutrient absorption and utilization become less efficient with age.⁴

Deficiency is Widespread

Many adults do not get enough of key vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. For example:

• According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), about 50% of Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D.⁵ Low levels of vitamin D are linked to chronic diseases such as bone, heart, and metabolic disorders, as well as mental and autoimmune conditions.⁶
• Human studies show that even many people in developed countries are deficient or insufficient in one or more forms of B vitamins, which can negatively affect brain health.⁷

Vitamins and essential minerals are critical to health. The body and mind can’t function properly without them, and when they aren’t supplied in adequate amounts, health suffers – sometimes seriously.

These and other vital nutrients enable essential functions like DNA repair, supporting immune function, reducing oxidative damage, maintaining cardiovascular health, and much more. When levels are low, many different symptoms can occur, notably fatigue, slow healing, and poor cognition.⁸

In short, a lack of essential vitamins and minerals increases the risk of many different ailments, including premature aging.⁹ Taking a science-based multivitamin can help cover many essential nutritional bases.

Nutrients in the Right Form

Not every multivitamin provides optimal potencies. Some contain forms of nutrients that may be difficult to use.

For example, vitamin B9 (known as folate in its natural form) is needed to detoxify homocysteine, a risk factor for vascular disease. But first, it has to be converted into its active form, 5-MTHF.¹⁰ Similarly, the methylated form of B12 may be more easily utilized, since it is already biologically active.¹¹ An optimal multivitamin provides these two B-vitamins in their activated form.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in vegans, the elderly, and people with certain specific gastro-intestinal disorders,¹¹ while people with some types of malabsorption and alcoholics can develop folate insufficiency.¹⁰

Other vitamins can also be delivered in advanced forms. For instance, vitamin E, when delivered as a combination of the four tocopherol forms alpha, beta, delta, and gamma,¹² may provide superior antioxidant protection, helping protect your cells from oxidative damage and inflammation.

Cutting-edge multivitamin formulas often also include certain plant and other nutrient compounds beyond basic vitamins/minerals, including:

• Lycopene, a carotenoid that supports prostate and cardiovascular health and protects against UV-induced skin damage,¹³
• Apigenin, a flavone that provides cellular protection,¹⁴
• Alpha-lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that helps regenerate other antioxidants and supports healthy glucose metabolism,¹⁵ and
• Lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that concentrate in the eyes and brain, supporting visual health and cognitive function while protecting against blue-light damage.¹⁶

Valuable Vitamins

Multivitamins need to cover the basics:

• Vitamin B1: (Thiamine), supports energy production, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and proper nervous system function. Its deficiency disrupts mitochondrial activity and can cause severe neurological and cardiovascular disorders such as Wernicke’s encephalopathy and heart failure.¹⁷
• Vitamin B3: (Niacin/Niacinamide), can be converted into NAD+, a molecule crucial for cellular energy and longevity. It also supports healthy energy and metabolism, as well as skin health and DNA repair.¹⁸
• Vitamin B6: helps break down homocysteine, supports brain health, reduces inflammation, protects blood vessels and reduces glycation; deficiency can raise cardiovascular and neurological risks.¹⁹ Pyridoxine is the most common form of vitamin B6. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is an active form that all forms of vitamin B6 break down to, assuming there is sufficient enzymatic support to convert them to the biologically active (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) form.²⁰ By including pre-active B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate), a multivitamin can help ensure optimal benefits without relying on enzymatic conversion in our aging bodies.
• Vitamin C: promotes immunity and is essential for collagen synthesis, supporting the strength of arteries, skin, bones, and teeth. It also aids in hormone production, iron absorption, and antioxidant defense, helping maintain overall health.²¹
• Vitamin D3: supports immune function and bone health. Its deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.⁶

What You Need To Know

Choose a Better Multivitamin

• Many commercial multivitamins are missing critical nutrients and provide others in low doses and poorly absorbed forms.
• An optimal formula should provide ample doses of crucial vitamins and minerals, often with additional plant extracts, in bioavailable forms.
• Taking a comprehensive multivitamin can support cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, and immune health to promote overall healthy aging.

Minerals for Maximum Absorption

In addition to the dose, the form of minerals can be important. Superior formulas use bioavailable forms of the following:

• Zinc: zinc citrate and zinc mono-L-methionine sulfate are recognized as well-absorbed forms of zinc.²² A combination of zinc citrate and zinc mono-L-methionine sulfate may support immune function, and over 300 enzymatic reactions.²³
• Selenium: Methylated seleno-cysteine as well as sodium selenite and high-selenium yeast provides broad-spectrum support. These three different forms of selenium have their own unique benefits.²⁴
• Chromium: A stabilized form of this mineral using the compound shilajit improves bioavailability.²⁵ Chromium is a micronutrient that supports healthy glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, and lipid profile.²⁶
• Molybdenum: This mineral is required for several enzyme activities, including those that detoxify alcohol and metabolize sulfur- containing amino acids. ²⁷
• Manganese: Manganese is an essential mineral needed for immune function, energy production, blood sugar regulation, reproduction, digestion, bone growth, blood clotting, and protection against oxidative stress.²⁸ Using two bioavailable forms ensures adequate absorption of this mineral crucial for bone formation and antioxidant defense.
• Iodine: Potassium iodide provides consistent, contamination-free iodine for thyroid function and metabolic health.²⁹
• Boron: In an amino acid chelate form, boron supports bone health, cognitive function, and helps the body use other minerals more effectively.³⁰

Many of these vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients work together to support optimal health.

Summary

A superior multivitamin formula provides a broad range of pre-activated, bioavailable forms of vitamins, minerals, and plant extracts to help support cardio-vascular, metabolic, neurological, and immune health.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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