How to Buy Vitamins

It's hard to get the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of all the vitamins you need, even when you're eating well. Find out what you're missing and how to close the gap with supplements.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Children's Multivitamins
• Multivitamins
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B Complex
• Vitamin B-12
• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vtamin K
• Credit Cards

1. Pinpoint any special needs you have. Vegans need extra vitamin B-12, pregnant women need extra folic acid, those who don't eat dairy and women over 50 need plenty of calcium, and people who aren't exposed to much sunlight need additional vitamin D.
2. Visit CyberDiet and fill out a nutritional profile. A list of the vitamins and minerals you need and estimated amounts will be generated for you.
3. Ask your doctor whether any medication you take interferes with vitamin absorption, and what you should do about this.
4. Buy a combination of generic multivitamins and additional supplements that covers the list you compile. Generics are just as effective as brand names.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy in bulk to save money.
• Try taking supplements with food for better absorption. Take fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D and K) with foods containing fats, and water-soluble vitamins with any foods.
• Look for the words "release assured" or "proven release" on the label to be sure the vitamins are easily absorbed by the body.
• Keep in mind that vitamins supplement a balanced diet. They are not a replacement for food.
• Avoid vitamins that deliver more than 100 percent of the RDA, because some can be toxic in large doses.