As you consider ways to improve your overall health, you may wonder “What vitamins should I take?”. As a doctor of Internal Medicine and vitamin expert I wish I could always give one simple response to that question. However, as with most aspects of our health, we have come to learn that we are not all the same. We in fact each have different individual vitamin needs based on our own diet, lifestyle and health concerns.
Just as many of us react to getting sick differently or we acquire health problems that others do not, our nutritional needs are also unique to each of us. Many factors influence which vitamins you should take and in which amounts. Therefore, taking personalized vitamins is the best way to ensure you are getting the best blend of vitamins for you.
How can we determine exactly which vitamins to take? As a doctor I spend a lot of time talking to my patients about what they should or shouldn’t eat, their health habits and any symptoms they may have. From this I can personalize their care. Similarly, in deciding what vitamins someone should take, personalized vitamins make the most sense. Just because your mother or neighbor takes X , Y or Z does not mean that you necessarily need the same thing. Taking a personalized vitamin is the best way to have confidence that you are taking the right amount of each nutrient that your body needs. After all, vitamins, like any medication can in fact be harmful if you take them unnecessarily or in excess.
So how do you find a personalized vitamin? Taking an online personalized vitamin quiz is the best way to provide detailed information about your individual demographics, daily habits, diet and health issues. These details can be then be utilized by a doctor created algorithm to provide you a personalized vitamin that meets your needs.
So in what way is a personalized vitamin useful? If you have certain habits, such as a vegan diet, you may be deficient in certain nutrients such as iron or b12. In contrast if you are a big time carnivore you may be less inclined toward other nutrient rich foods (those containing vitamin C and other things). If you are an exercise fanatic you may need more magnesium. If you are planning on getting pregnant or are pregnant it is essential to get enough folic acid and omega3s. If you are a migraine sufferer you may benefit from vitamin D and some key B vitamins. If you have thinning hair you may also need certain specific nutrients in proper combination. All of these factors must be considered and balanced when choosing what vitamins to take.
A doctor created personalized vitamin is a wonderful way to know that the experts are weighing in on your unique individual needs. We are not all the same. We do not all have the same health concerns or vitamin needs. Take your health into your own hands by finding a personalized vitamin to assist you to discover your best health, prevent disease and allow you to feel your best.
Arielle Levitan M.D.
Co-founder Vous Vitamin LLC
Author of The Vitamin Solution:Two Doctors Clear the Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health