I'll Have One Large Chicken Breast With a Side Order of Multivitamins, Please
Do you take a multivitamin every day? If you answered yes, congratulations. But, do you take it with a meal? If you answered yes again, you're on a roll. Last question: Do you also take your multivitamin with coffee or any other caffeinated drink? Gotcha! The correct answer to the last question is "No!"
Take a Multivitamin Every Day
Let's start with question number one. Unless you are a hardcore nutritionist who meticulously calculates everything that enters your body, chances are you aren't getting nearly enough of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. "But I feel fine, so I don't need one." Sure, you feel fine, but that doesn't mean you couldn't feel better and help your body to function better as well. This isn't all about your feelings!
Taking a multivitamin ensures your body has the tools it needs to repair your muscles, remove toxins and waste, fuel your workouts, and an infinite number of other equally important tasks.
Take Multivitamins With Meals
Food improves and speeds up the absorption of the nutrients found in your multivitamins. Another added benefit: Some people complain of an upset stomach when taking multivitamins by themselves. Taking them with meals will ensure maximum benefit with minimum discomfort.
Try taking your multivitamin with the same meal every day. This will help you to develop a habit, so you don't forget and skip any days. I usually take mine with breakfast right after I wake up.
DON'T Take Multivitamins With Caffeine
Don't worry if you have done this or currently do this on a daily basis. It's not hurting you, but it is robbing you of some essential vitamin power. Caffeine has been shown to prevent the body from absorbing vitamins A and B, along with the minerals calcium, copper, magnesium, and zinc. So, there is never a good time to down a calorie-filled, caffeinated soda, but at least try and avoid it within an hour or two of taking your multivitamin.
Which Multivitamin Should I Take?
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of options, and they all claim to be the absolute best. The truth is, like many things, there isn't one brand or dosage that is right for every individual. It's important to pick the right multivitamin based on your gender and activity level.
If you don't get much exercise and your physical activity level is fairly low (shame on you!), then you can go with a number of the most common brands. For men, I would recommend One-A-Day Men's Health Formula Tablets, 200-Count Bottles (Pack of 2)
However, if you are an active person and workout on a regular basis, your body needs more of these vitamins and minerals to keep up with the demands and physical stress you're putting it through. Active people will notice the biggest difference in taking a multivitamin, because it will give you that extra boost to help your body heal and recover faster from one workout to the next. A regular multivitamin is certainly better than nothing, but you need a REAL multivitamin.
One of the most popular and widely-used brands is Universal Animal Pak, (Pack of 44)
So, to recap:
- Take your multivitamin every day.
- Take your multivitamin with a meal.
- DON'T take your multivitamin with caffeine.
- Pick the right multivitamin based on your gender and activity level.
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