I ask all of my clients to bring in any prescription or over-the-counter medications they may be taking.
I remember a client who brought in a carry-on suitcase on wheels, which to my surprise was filled with prescription medicines, vitamins, minerals, and herbals. Once we started going through everything, I noticed that many of the supplements contained the same vitamins or minerals.
Ultimately, this client was paying a lot of money for supplements he didn't need and his body was not using. Some of them can even combine with other medications to create dangerous drug interactions.
People with diabetes don't usually have to take a multivitamin. However, if you feel your diet lacks any of the food groups — fruits, whole grains, vegetables, or dairy — then a multivitamin may not be a bad idea. Remember, though, that a multivitamin isn't a substitute for a healthy diet.
Generally, taking a multivitamin each day isn't harmful, but talk with your doctor first. Things can get complicated and sometimes risky when you take multiple supplements with duplicate ingredients.
If you do opt to take a multivitamin, look for one that contains around 100 percent of the Daily Value (DV) of most vitamins and minerals (usually a pill won't contain 100 percent of all the vitamins and minerals because it would then be too big to swallow). The DV percentage is how much of the nutrient the supplement provides, with 100 percent being what is recommended for one day.
Avoid supplements (sometimes called megavitamins) that contain several times the percent DV. And use caution when taking the fat-soluble vitamins — A, D, E, and K — because they are not excreted as readily as the others and can build up in the body.
You don't need the most expensive brand, either: Generic multivitamins can work as well as their Cadillac counterparts.
As a person with diabetes, you should aim for a healthy diet; if you want to take a multivitamin, talk with your doctor and shop smart for vitamins.
