John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Many people who take supplements use some sort of multi-vitamin product. The appeal is that you can get everything you need in one product. Most of these products are sold with a ‘one a day' dose.

The idea sounds brilliant. Take just one pill that has all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your body needs. The problem is that this only works by formulators making serious compromises on the range, quality and quantity of ingredients. The most common compromise is to reduce the mineral content as these, especially the major minerals, are very bulky and it is not possible to put meaningful amounts in a single dose.

The other compromise is based on ingredient price. Many of the really important compounds such as chelated minerals, high grade botanical antioxidant extracts and natural vitamin E are very expensive. Including meaningful levels of these will make a product more expensive.

Any good multi product will essentially be three products in one, and will have a daily dose of at least two capsules a day. In order of importance, it will first be a comprehensive multi-mineral using high grade chelates. But it should include all 20-plus essential major and trace minerals.

The next group are the vitamins and this should include vitamin A (from beta carotene), a full B vitamin complex with B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, folic acid, B12, inositol and biotin. Added to this should be vitamin C, vitamin D and at least 100IU of natural vitamin E.

Now we have a full multi-vitamin and multi-mineral we need to add the most important antioxidants to protect our cells from free radical damage. I like to include all the major antioxidant groups with OPC, green tea, bioflavonoids, bilberry, goji, lutein, lycopene and beta carotene.

A well formulated multi product is without doubt the most important supplement to ensure your cells have optimum levels of micro-nutrients. Just make sure the product you choose is actually able to deliver adequate amounts of all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Give me a call if you need more information. To join my weekly newsletter visit: www.johnarts.co.nz and www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz