Nearly half of the adults in the US take a multi-vitamin supplement every single day. Extrapolate that number across the world, and that’s a whole lot of people. But it doesn’t necessarily make the case for multi-vitamin supplements clear cut. A quick online search reveals a heated debate about multi-vitamin supplements along with several misconceptions. Today, we’re going to tackle 6 of those most common myths.
MYTH #1: I DON’T NEED A MULTI-NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT IF I’VE ALREADY ACTIVATED MY GENE PATHWAYS
Activating your gene pathways by giving cells the ability to produce the proteins, enzymes, and antioxidants your body needs to fight aging and unlock optimal health is important. And activation happens through a few different pathways. The Nrf2 pathway helps your cells produce antioxidants. The NRF1 pathway helps those same cells produce more mitochondria to give you more energy and overall health. And activating proteins called sirtuins through NAD enhances energy, mood, and focus.
For any of these pathways to work efficiently, however, we need vitamins and minerals. That’s because vitamins and minerals act as cofactors –or helpers –in creating the enzyme reactions that enable cell signaling along vital pathways. Niacin, for example, creates NAD. NAD then activates sirtuins.
Magnesium and zinc play a critical role in enhancing cellular energy through the NRF1 pathway. As your body breaks down nutrients, it creates ATP which, in turn, creates energy. But to work, ATP molecules must bind to magnesium. Additionally, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12 are also all critical for nutrient metabolism and energy production.
Magnesium also plays a vital role in over 300 additional biochemical reactions within the body, including the Nrf2 pathway for antioxidant production, along with aiding in protein synthesis and blood pressure regulation.
However, sometimes the vitamins we consume aren’t always in an active state like niacin, so our bodies need to convert them. Essential folic acid and B12 require methylation, for example. Other B-vitamins require phosphorylation for conversion.
While activating vital gene pathways is an important first step to better health, giving those pathways the right nutrients they need to communicate more efficiently is critical. And because life, poor diet, and lack of exercise can break down that communication, multi-nutrients step in and play a vital role.
MYTH #2: I DON’T NEED A MULTI-VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT IF I EAT A HEALTHY DIET
Even though millions of people take multi-vitamin supplements, their value seems to be constantly debated. Articles often recommend you steer clear of supplements and focus on eating a healthy diet to get your vitamins and nutrients. That’s partly true. Supplements are in no way a replacement for a healthy diet. However, most people –and even the healthiest of eaters –still fall short of the nutrients they need.
Over time, even small discrepancies in nutrient intake can cause bigger nutritional gaps down the road, potentially leading to negative impacts on your health.
Think of multi-nutrient supplements as your dietary insurance plan. They’re an easy way to fill any nutrient gaps or shortfalls. A study that analyzed data from 10,698 adults showed that the daily use of multivitamin/mineral supplements helped prevent shortfalls in important nutrients necessary to support overall health.
MYTH #3: A ONE-A-DAY SUPPLEMENT ALREADY GIVES ME EVERYTHING I NEED
While something is better than nothing, taking any supplement simply won’t do the trick. Why? Because effective multi-nutrients must ensure you receive the right amounts science has shown your body needs.
Determining amount of nutrients is a critical balancing act. There can be too much of one type of vitamin. Perhaps too little of another mineral. This imbalance can create problems for your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients or produce unwanted effects.
According to their extensively researched articles in the Micronutrient Information Center, the Linus Pauling Institute shows that to actually provide real health benefits, micronutrients often need to go beyond merely covering deficiencies. Higher amounts are needed. Because if you get too little, your body may not have enough nutrients to go beyond merely surviving and performing only the most essential processes to truly supporting real, beneficial health outcomes.
MYTH #4: MULTI-NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY
The adage you get what you pay for is true when it comes to micronutrient supplements. Head to your local store and you’ll find no shortage of choices. However, many either don’t provide enough nutrients to be of real value, or they are of low quality. And low-quality isn’t merely subjective here.
To lower costs, some inexpensive supplements may include less bioavailable forms of nutrients or ingredients from suppliers with unknown quality standards. Bioavailability means a nutrient is available in the right form and amount for your body to absorb. If a vitamin or mineral isn’t bioavailable, your body simply can’t use it.
Effective micronutrient supplements include bioavailable forms of nutrients for better biological activity. In other words, the micronutrient can be absorbed by your body, so they can do what they say they’re going to do.
A good, high-quality multivitamin should contain multiple forms of vitamins and minerals to make sure your body gets what it needs –in the form that will serve it best. Multi-nutrient supplements aren’t a waste of money if you’re investing in the right ones. Quality matters.
MYTH #5: A GOOD MULTI-NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT IS THE ONLY SUPPLEMENT I NEED
While many people argue that multi-nutrient supplements aren’t necessary, others say they’re the only ones we should take. Both arguments couldn’t be further from the truth.
The truth is we all have different health goals based on individual needs. And targeted results require a targeted approach. With a high-quality multi-nutrient serving as a foundation, you can build a personalized supplement plan based on your own unique goals with products from LifeVantage.
Here’s some examples:
- Anti-Aging Activation
Protandim® Nrf2 Synergizer®, NRF1 Synergizer®, and NAD Synergizer® are each scientifically formulated to activate different genetic pathways, so your body can produce the antioxidants it needs to fight cellular damage from oxidative stress, create more energy to support your cells, and increase NAD and sirtuin activity needed to unlock more mental focus, clarity, and overall health.* - Cognitive Health Activation
A mix of Nrf2, NRF1, and NAD Synergizers also promotes peak cellular efficiency, so you can feel more alert and think more clearly. LifeVantage Omega+ and AXIO energy drinks also support brain health and energy.* - Digestive Health Activation
Protandim® Nrf2 Synergizer, LifeVantage® ProBio, and PhysIQ™ Prebiotic help support detoxification and a healthy gut microbiome to help your body absorb more nutrients, remove waste and toxins, and support overall better digestive health.* - Eye Health Activation
LifeVantage® IC Bright™, Omega+, and Protandim® Nrf2 Synergizer® provide the essential fatty acids and antioxidant protection to reduce eye strain and fatigue from screen time while also protecting them from the environment.* - Bone Health Activation
Since it’s difficult for a multi-nutrient to carry all of the calcium and vitamin D your bones need to maintain health, taking additional targeted supplements like LifeVantage Omega+ and D3+ makes sure you’re getting the right amounts.*
In other words, multi-nutrient supplements are just one piece to the human body’s very large, often complex puzzle. And they’re a valuable foundation for a more targeted health plan.
MYTH #6: IT DOESN’T MATTER WHEN I TAKE MY SUPPLEMENT
You may not realize that when you take a multi-nutrient supplement matters too. That’s because your body operates according to circadian rhythms. These rhythms are like biological clocks set to the rising and setting of the sun. And if they’re interrupted, everything from motivation, sleep, and mood can be thrown out of balance.
Nutrient absorption works similarly. Because your body absorbs different nutrients better at different times, taking too much vitamin D late in the day can make sleeping difficult. Or too much vitamin C all at once limits how much your body can absorb.
Nutrient timing is critical for optimizing the vitamins and minerals your body absorbs. By taking nutrients together that work best in the morning and then doing the same with different nutrients at night, your body will get the nutrition it needs –and importantly –you’ll get them when your body needs them most and can absorb them the best.
And you can time your nutrients to support your daily rhythms. Taking certain nutrients like B vitamins in the morning can help you feel sustained energy during the day. Or magnesium with your dinner can help you unwind at the end of the day, so you can get a restful night’s sleep at night and wake up feeling refreshed. Some traditional herbs can also help with energy and focus or calm and relaxation.
With your body going through thousands of chemical reactions at any given moment, the importance of having the right nutrients at the right time isn’t just a matter of convenience but rather a foundational necessity for whole-body health.
IT’S TIME FOR A WISER APPROACH TO SUPPLEMENTATION AND ACTIVATION
At LifeVantage, we create industry-leading products based on years of experience and research into nutrigenomics and activation science. With the LifeVantage® Rise AM™ & Reset PM™ System with Timewise Nutrient Delivery™, we’re applying the same approach to formulating a complete solution to multi-nutrient supplements. It’s carefully tuned to the body’s complex systems, rhythms, and specific needs by providing the right nutrients, in the right amounts, at the right time. The result: superior supplementation for more activation and a healthier life.*
