As you research nutritional supplements you will undoubtedly end up reading many multi vitamin reviews. Is this really a reliable way to determine if a given vitamin supplement is what you need. There are many variables, and many of the reviews are going to be biased based on what people want you to believe. So, just how can you really tell if what you are reading is reliable?
What I look for when I read a review on nutritional supplements is factual information. I don't want just testimonials or someone claiming that they have the best product. I want to read what is actually in the product and at what quantity. For instance, a few key ingredients to look for in addition to the normal vitamins and minerals are lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.
Vitamin A Products
Lycopene is the substance that gives tomatoes its red coloring and has been shown to effectively reduce the risk of cancer. Zeaxanthin and lutein are very powerful anti oxidants that are well known for their ability to support the health of the eyes. If a multi vitamin review discusses these types of ingredients, it is a good indication that the manufacturer is concerned about developing an effective product.
However, you still need to be careful. I have noticed recently that some companies are including all three of these, only in small amounts. In other words, they want you to think they are selling a quality product, without it really being a quality product.
One multi vitamin product I looked into contained 150 mcg (that's micro grams) lutein, 150 mcg lycopene and only 6 mcg of zeaxanthin. It is virtually impossible for these nutrients to provide any benefit at these low levels. A multi vitamin review of an effective supplement will show quantities of these nutrients at between 100 and 1000 times these levels. This is just one example of the things you need to be aware of when reading reviews on multi vitamins.
Another thing that should be discussed in multi vitamin reviews is the delivery system that is used. A vitamin product may have great ingredients, but if the nutrients are unable to make it into your bloodstream, they won't do anything for you. I always like to see an enteric coating discussed when I read a review.
As you read multi vitamin reviews, keep these things in mind. It is often difficult to distinguish fact from fiction in today's world. However, don't give up on your quest to find a vitamin supplement that will provide results. I have found great emotional and physical benefit from quality multi vitamins. It is well worth the effort required to find a multi vitamin that works.