7 Reasons to Take a Multi

With today's hectic lifestyle, remembering to take your multivitamin/minerals isn't always a priority. But here are seven good reasons to reconsider.

1. We don't get adequate nutrients from diet alone.

Nine out of 10 Canadians fall short of the recommended daily amounts in various nutrients, according to data from several sources including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

2. Many factors further deplete the body of nutrients.

These include stress, smoking, poor digestion and the use of medications such as antidiabetic and cholesterol-lowering drugs, birth control pills, and diuretics.

3. Multivitamins may slow aging.

Telomeres are found at the end of human chromosomes to protect the chromosome from damage. A telomere's length may be a marker of aging; shorter telomeres represent faster aging. In a group of adult women, those who took multivitamins had longer telomeres, exhibiting first-of-its-kind antiaging evidence.

4. Multinutrients benefit multi-taskers—and who isn't a multi-tasker?

A study that examined cognitive function, mood, and fatigue levels in 216 healthy adult women found that those who took multivitamin/minerals had less fatigue and fewer bad moods. The speed and accuracy of their multi-tasking tests also improved.

5. Moms-to-be may reduce the risk of pediatric cancers in children.

In a recent meta-analysis, multinutrient supplementation was associated with a 39 percent reduced risk of leukemia, a 27 percent reduced risk of brain tumours, and a 47 percent reduced risk of neuroblastoma.

6. Multinutrients help weight loss and cholesterol.

In a 26-week study, 96 obese adult women took either multivitamins/minerals, calcium, or a placebo. The multivitamin group decreased their body mass index, waist size, and bad cholesterol, while their good cholesterol increased and so did their metabolism.

7. Multinutrients protect the cardiovascular system.

One study examined the data of 77,719 adults and found that multivitamin use was associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease.

What to look for in a formula

It's easy to find a basic multi-nutrient formula. They're everywhere. An increasingly popular option is to mix nutrients with superfoods such as powders of alfalfa leaf, green barley juice, and spirulina blue-green algae.

This combination is believed to aid absorption and utilization while also providing a superior source of nutrition. Look for options with added silicon, trace minerals, and enzymes to help complete the gaps in the modern diet.

The next time you're rushing out, remember to pop a few tablets in your pocket. A little health-care effort now could mean big payoffs later.