The Best Multivitamin Ingredients for Immune Protection and Good Health
Prior to the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, consumers had already grown increasingly mindful of the impact of nutrition on their health. The pandemic has turbo-charged this trend, as protection from infection and illness has rapidly become a year-round concern rather than a seasonal one. As a result, the 2020 global dietary supplements market size of USD 140.3 billion was projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% and reach USD 272.4 billion by 2028, according to a report by Grand View Research.
Multivitamins have seen by far the greatest boost in demand since the emergence of Covid-19, with the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s COVID-19 Consumer Survey reporting a whopping 59% uptick in consumption. Second to 12th place on the list include four supplements providing a specific type of vitamin. It’s hardly surprising then that another report by Grand View Research expects the overall market size of vitamin supplements to grow from USD 44.12 billion in 2020 to USD 71.37 billion in 2028, making for an impressive CAGR of 6.2%.
Given vitamin supplementation is expected to become increasingly popular, it seems more important than ever for consumers and supply-chain professionals alike to have a firm grasp on what should be in a multivitamin supplement.
Nutritional supplements and vitamin supplements: General things to know
Nutritional supplements are manufactured products and usually come in the form of tablets, capsules, gummies, powders, energy bars, or liquids. They are taken by mouth and are meant to support a healthy lifestyle by contributing to a varied, balanced diet. Daily multivitamins can play an important role in helping prevent illness by boosting overall health and immune function. It’s important to note that in order to ensure the safe consumption of any supplement, it should first be discussed with a health care professional.
Essential ingredients for daily multivitamins
Vitamin A palmitate
Vitamin A palmitate is thought to support the eyes, immune system, and reproductive health. It may also reduce the risk of tuberculosis and severe measles.
Beta carotene
In addition to serving as a source of vitamin A, beta carotene has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Beta carotene has also been linked with improved memory and cognitive function overall, and with better skin, lung, and eye health.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B1 is associated with fending off complications in the nervous system, brain, muscles, heart, stomach, and intestines. It also plays a part in electrolytes flowing into and out of muscle and nerve cells. In addition, vitamin B1 is thought to support the prevention of diseases like beriberi, which involves heart, nerve, and digestive disorders.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 assists with breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It’s crucial to maintaining the body’s energy supply. With the help of vitamin B2, carbohydrates can be converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which produces energy as required and allows it to be stored in muscles. Other benefits of vitamin B2 may include cataract and migraine headache prevention.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 is also involved in converting food into energy, as it helps the body use proteins and fats. It supports the nervous system and helps maintain healthy skin and hair. What’s more, vitamin B3 is thought to aid in lowering cholesterol and to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B5 is another important helper in energy production. It’s needed to synthesize and metabolize fats, proteins, and coenzyme A. Vitamin B5 promotes healthy liver function, skin, hair, and eyes.
Vitamin B6
In addition to its role in turning food into energy, vitamin B6 supports the immune system and proper cell functioning. It also benefits the central nervous system and creates neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. Vitamin B6 has been linked to better memory and cognitive ability in general.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B7 is another nutrient from this group that helps energy production from food. Among its other likely benefits are improved nail and hair health, support during pregnancy, and aid in regulating blood sugar levels.
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)
Vitamin B9, which is known as folic acid in its synthetic form, is vital to a range of bodily functions, including DNA creation and the formation of red blood cells. Common symptoms of a vitamin B9 deficiency are fatigue, weakness, and a pale complexion.
While necessary for energy production, vitamin B12 is also crucial to nerve tissue health, brain function, and the production of red blood cells. A vitamin B12 deficiency, which is somewhat common in the United States and the United Kingdom, can lead to a range of symptoms, including irreversible neurological problems.
Vitamin D
Since vitamin D is produced as a result of sun exposure, more time spent indoors and protective measures such as the use of sunscreen can make supplements a crucial way to maintain healthy levels. Vitamin D is essential for a number of reasons, such as the fact it supports strong bones and teeth as well as immune, lung, brain, cardiovascular, and nervous system health. It’s also thought to help regulate insulin and manage diabetes.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E supports immune function and acts as an important antioxidant, fighting against cell damage from loose electrons called “free radicals.” It’s thought to help prevent artery-clogging atherosclerosis, cancer, vision loss, and other chronic conditions, and it may also be helpful for arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, nerve pain, and more. Of the several forms of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol is the one used by the human body and is contained in most supplements simply listing “vitamin E” as an ingredient. While the natural version is d-alpha-tocopherol, the synthetic version is dl-alpha-tocopherol.
There are eight forms of naturally occurring vitamin E, including four tocopherols: alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocopherol. Studies suggest supplements mixing alpha-tocopherol with other tocopherols may have additional health benefits.
Vitamin K (Phylloquinone/Phytonadione and Menaquinone)
Vitamin K1, or phylloquinone, is found in plants. In its synthetic form, it’s called phytonadione. When consumed, vitamin K1 is converted by the large intestine into its storage form, vitamin K2, or menaquinone. Supplements may contain either vitamin K1 or vitamin K2. Without vitamin K, the body is unable to produce the protein prothrombin, which is necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
Conclusion
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a rapid acceleration of the growth in consumers’ interest in the connection between diet and health. One of the results has been a sharp uptick in demand for vitamin supplementation and multivitamins in particular. When it comes to multivitamins, a range of ingredients can be considered especially desirable due to their specific health and immune-boosting qualities. They include vitamin A palmitate, beta carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.