C.S.I. Reference Articles

Evaluating A Multivitamin

These days there are many multivitamin products available to the health care consumer. Some contain a large array of dubious ingredients and others just don't dissolve in the digestive tract. In choosing a high quality supplement for your self consult your Doctor of Chiropractic or Nutritionist.

Consider the following criteria:

Vast array of essential nutrients: Choose a multiple vitamin that all the basics such as vitamin A,C,D and B vitamins. Remember, a multiple is needed to provide all of the essentials. Calcium is one essential that should be taken separately from a multiple in order to receive adequate amounts needed by the body. Calcium is bulky and leaves less room for other nutrients.

More is not always better: A multiple is not superior if it has loads of specialty ingredients added, such as MSM or lutein. These components are beneficial when taken in the correct dosage. Adding minimal amounts does nothing for your health and only leaves less room for the essentials.

High quality ingredients: A multi should list the particular form(s) of the nutrients, such as Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol). Many products use inferior performing nutrients forms to cut costs. Learn the forms that work best for you.

Minimal amount of other ingredients: A quality mulitvitamin will not have a whole paragraph of unnecessary excipients (ingredients to ensure product stability and shelf life) or other additives added during manufacturing.

No Additives or artificial food coloring: A supplement that is bright red or yellow probably contains artificial food coloring. These are unnecessary except for marketing a pretty tablets.

Tested for potency: This term is thrown around quite a bit. A manufacturer should be able to tell you how their product is tested for potency. HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) is an accurate test for potency and contamination.

Tested for disintegration: Probably the most important test. If the multi vitamin does not breakdown, it is useless. Vinegar is not a valid test to determine if a product will disintegrate in the body. A disintegration test which mimics the temperature, pH or acidity and peristalsis of the intestinal tract is an accurate measure of a multi's ability to break down in the body.