In an ideal situation, you’d get all your nutrients from a balanced diet, but that’s not always easy to do. A multivitamin acts as a sort of health insurance, delivering extra antioxidants and boosting your immune system so your body is better able to defend itself against bacteria and viruses.
That said, it’s important to note that the vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables interact with each other in ways that we know offer protection against illness but that we simply can’t duplicate. So it’s still important to eat right in addition to taking a multivitamin. Getting enough sleep, drinking lots of fluids and exercising can also boost your immunity.
Look for a multivitamin designed for your demographic, since the recommended daily allowance of different vitamins and minerals depends on your age and gender. There are many different multivitamins out there, so ask your doctor or pharmacist to help you find the right supplements for you.
Sniffle Solutions expert Christiane Rivard is a registered dietitian and the co-founder of pediatric weight-management program Positive Solutions.
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