| Vitamins are essential for maintaining bodily | | | | capsules, which are easier to swallow and dissolve |
| functions, such as growth, eyesight, and immune | | | | more quickly. |
| protection. They are usually required in small | | | | Here are some tips on choosing the right |
| amounts, but vitamin deficiencies are still common | | | | supplements nutritional vitamin. |
| because food sources do not meet the | | | | Check the nutritional content. The supplement |
| recommended daily allowance (RDA) of most | | | | should provide a nutritional facts table listing all the |
| vitamins. Most doctors recommend supplements | | | | nutrients it contains. Make sure your vitamin |
| nutritional vitamin to patients to meet RDAs of | | | | supplement contains adequate, balanced doses of |
| specific vitamins and keep a healthy balance of | | | | essential vitamins. As a general rule, supplements |
| nutrients. Supplements nutritional vitamin also | | | | should provide at least 10% of the RDA of each |
| come in different forms: | | | | vitamin. It should also contain enzymes to increase |
| Liquids. Liquid supplements are the most efficient | | | | absorption. |
| and easiest to administer. Solids have to be | | | | Look for the USP label. USP stands for United |
| dissolved before the nutrients are released, while | | | | States Pharmacopoeia (British Pharmacopoeia or |
| liquids are directly absorbed. They are also ideal | | | | BP in the UK). A USP-approved supplement meets |
| for people on liquid diets, and children who have | | | | the highest industry standards for safety and |
| trouble swallowing solids. However, not all | | | | quality. |
| supplements nutritional vitamin brands come in | | | | Choose food-based supplements. Supplements |
| liquid form. | | | | nutritional vitamin with a food base contain |
| Tablets. Most vitamin supplements come in both | | | | enzymes, which can increase absorption by 400% |
| tablet and capsule forms, but tablets are still more | | | | to 800%. These are far more efficient, but they |
| popular. They are formed from organic or | | | | are bulkier and usually require larger does. |
| inorganic cements compressed into tablet shapes. | | | | IMPORTANT: The US does not strictly regulate |
| This usually requires strong binding ingredients, | | | | dietary supplements. Many manufacturers make |
| which may take time to dissolve inside the body. | | | | false claims on their labels, and only one out of |
| For better absorption, choose vitamin tablets | | | | five consumers have bought products that |
| made with organic cements. | | | | actually contain what their labels say. Make sure |
| Capsules. Capsules come in small edible containers | | | | your supplements nutritional vitamin is |
| that dissolve quickly when swallowed. They are | | | | GMP-compliant and does not contain additives |
| more loosely packed than tablets, so they usually | | | | such as gluten, silica, starch, and sugar. |
| require greater dosages. There are also soft gel | | | | |