WHAT'S IN YOUR MULTI VITAMIN?

Multi Vitamins can be confusing.  In this article, we'll try and break down the differences between certain multi's and help to show you what each of the ingredients do!

Although experts have split opinions on whether multi-vitamins should be mandatory in a daily nutrition plan, vitamin and mineral supplements have been seen to make quite a difference in athletes, malnourished individuals and people with unique needs (Certain diseases, stages of life, pregnancy, etc.).  Most multi-vitamins will include the general and basic vitamins and minerals that are essential for every day bodily functions, but what makes a big difference between a high quality multi and a low quality multi, is the quantity, variety, and sourcing of the vitamins.  If you aren’t an elite level athlete losing minerals and vitamins through excessive exercise and water loss, you should be looking for a vitamin that just meets 90-100% of your daily needs, since you should be aiming to receive many of these sources through food.  No matter what, certain vitamins such as calcium or magnesium will often be in smaller dosages, since it would make the pull too large to ingest.  Next, be sure to find a vitamin that is specific to your gender. Later in this article we'll quickly gloss over a few differences between the two, but in basic terms, men’s and women’s vitamins will differ based on our physiology and what our body requires more of or cant rid as easily. Example: Men need more Zinc for testosterone production, women need more Coenzyme Q10 for fertility purposes.  Another example would be that women need more Iron,  and since men don’t have menstrual cycles, we can'd rid ourselves of excess iron unless we donate blood. Many of these vitamins will also be tailored based on AGE.  For instance, a 25 year old male who is in peak physicality of life will need a different vitamin and mineral complex than a 70 year old man who may be succumbing to the trials of time.  In that case, the 70 year old man may look for a later age vitamin with additional Calcium and Vitamin D to fight onset of Osteoporosis (a disease that is characterized by low bone mass and deterioration). It’s important that you don’t choose a vitamin that is overdosed for your needs, for it can become toxic in excessive amounts, however, in North America it’s much more likely for someone to be deficient in certain vitamins than to be overloaded.

In this next part, we'll go over some of the most important vitamins, minerals, and support nutrients we can find in the RIVALUS Men’s Multi Vitamin and Mineral supplement, and what they do.  Not everything is included, however this is still an extensive overview of things you may like to know about the ingredients you consume through a daily multi vitamin:

Vitamins

Alpha-Carotene: Vitamin A precursor, useful for vision and eye health, for a strong immune system, and healthy skin.

Vitamin E:Protection against toxins such as air pollution, premenstrual syndrome, eye disorders such as cataracts, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, maintains healthy connective tissue, bones, blood vessels, and skin.

Vitamin K: works synergistically with a number of other nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D. Its biological role is to help move calcium into the proper areas in your body, such as your bones and teeth.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):found in meat, green leaves, and vegetables and is essential for the breakdown of fat and protein. It also keeps the mucous membranes healthy.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Major role in energy production, and needs to be replenished daily. Processes and breakdown of amino acids and fats and carbohydrates. It also doubles up as an antioxidant, which prevents tumors and slows down aging.

Vitamin B12: Huge roles in carb breakdown and energy production, nervous system health which reduces depression, stress and brain shrinkage. Maintains a healthy digestive system, helping protect against stroke and high blood pressure. Skin, hair and nail health.Protects against breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer.

Folic Acid (Folate):Acts by helping the body produce and maintain new cells, well recognized for its value in the prevention of certain birth defects.

Biotin (Vitamin B7): Thicken Hair, Nails and Beautify Skin.Healthy metabolic, nerve, digestive and cardiovascular functions.

Minerals

Calcium:Build and maintain strong bones. Your heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly. Some studies suggest that calcium, along with vitamin D, may have benefits beyond bone health: perhaps protecting against cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Magnesium: Maintains normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Zinc: Zinc is needed for the proper growth and maintenance of the human body. It is found in several systems and biological reactions, and it is needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more.

Iodine: Ensures that the thyroid works properly. Thyroid hormones play an important role in a wide range of bodily functions, including metabolism, bone health, immune response, and development of the central nervous system.

Manganese: Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessary for normal brain and nerve function.

Potassium: Regulates fluid balance and controls the electrical activity of the heart and other muscles. Potassium is an electrolyte that counteracts the effects of sodium, helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure. It is also important for maintaining acid-base balance.

Chromium: Chromium is a metallic element that humans require in very small amounts. Regulates blood sugar, and helps insulin transport glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy. Also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein.

Selenium: Antioxidant and defends against oxidative stress, defends against cancer, boosts immunity, improves blood flow, lowers chance of heart disease, regulates thyroid function.

Molybdenum: Main function is to act as a catalyst for enzymes and to help facilitate the breakdown of certain amino acids in the body.

Copper:Copper is an essential trace mineral that places roles in absorption and energy production.

Support Nutrients

L-Glutamine: L-glutamine is an amino acid that is a building block of protein. L-glutamine is the most abundant amino

Alpha Lipoic Acid:Helps prevent certain kinds of cell damage in the body, and also restores vitamin levels such as vitamin E and vitamin C. Evidence says it can improve the function and conduction of neurons in diabetes.

Green Tea Extract Leaf: In most cases, GTE is effective as a fat-burner via a complex cellular mechanism involving catechins and caffeine, however it poses dozens of health benefits.

Grape Seed Extract: Aids in high blood pressure, bone strength, swelling, cognitive decline, oral health, diabetes.

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf: Increases concentration, reduces risk for dementia and alzheimers, helps fight anxiety and depression, fights symptoms of PMS, helps maintain vision, helps prevent and treat ADHD, improved libido,treats migranes and headaches.

Lycopene: powerful antioxidant that can protect and repair the body from damage caused by a multiple disease including heart disease, prostate cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, colon cancer, pancreas cancer, and atherosclerosis.

What is the difference between a Men’s Multi & Women’s Multi?

Although Rivalus doesn’t have a specific women’s multi, it’s important to understand the difference between one you would find in the market, and a male specific.Here are a few examples for instance:

Coenzyme Q10: Women need more

REASON: Coenzyme Q10 has been linked to better fertility rates in women, and although not fully proven, can help with infertility and pregnancy

Vitamin B6: Important for both, but men need slightly more

REASON:It has been seen that men in their later years need more vitamin b6 to aid in memory and immune function, although it is a necessary vitamin for both men and women

Zinc: Important for both, but men need more

REASON: Zinc is what actually enables the male body to produce testosterone

Iron: Female Specific

REASON:It is important for both men and women to have a healthy amount of iron in our body for many bodily functions, however women rid Iron through monthly menstruation processes, while men do not.It is actually extremely healthy for men to give blood for this reason, as too much Iron poses negative side effects.

Tribulus Root: Male Specific

REASON: Tribulus root is used to enhance libido and sexual well being without affecting testosterone.

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