Starting at about age 51, your nutrient needs shift a little. This multivitamin/mineral tablet reflects those changing needs. Although the Best Life philosophy is “food first”—in other words, get your nutrients through a healthy diet—there is a place for dietary supplements. Consider supplements, like this multi, as insurance—a way to help fill the gap during periods in which you don’t meet all your vitamin and mineral needs through food.

The formulation is based on the latest science which means that certain nutrients are at levels lower than some of the leading brands, because emerging research is showing that more is not always better. In addition, we’ve left out herbs and other unproven substances to make room for some of the minerals needed in larger amounts, like calcium and magnesium.

This multi is formulated to contribute to:

Brain Health.  There are many factors that contribute to brain health, including adequate levels of vitamin B12†. As we age, it becomes harder for many people to absorb this vitamin. This multi offers above-RDA* (recommended dietary allowance) levels of B12 to help offset the reduced absorption of this vitamin as we age, and uses the crystalline form of vitamin B12 which is generally well absorbed.†

Heart Health. What helps maintain heart health? Some of the biggies: staying at a healthy weight, maintaining normal blood pressure and blood cholesterol, getting adequate exercise, and eating a healthy diet. A number of specific nutrients also in this multi have been linked to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, such as vitamin E for its antioxidant function and magnesium for its role in muscle function, including the heart muscle.† In this multi, these nutrients are at levels a little lower than in some of the other brands. That’s because the lower levels may be most beneficial according to new and emerging research.

Bone Health. Adequate calcium and vitamin D, as part of a well balanced diet, along with physical activity, helps build and maintain good bone health.† The 250 mg of calcium in this multi, along with a calcium-rich diet, helps you meet your calcium needs. (The RDA is 1,000 mg for men age 51 to 70 and 1,200 mg for women age 51 and older and men age 71 and older.) And this supplement covers your RDA for vitamin D. You’re also getting nearly a third of the magnesium RDA for women age 51 and older and about a quarter of the RDA for men in this age group. Both men and women tend to fall short on this mineral, which not only contributes to bone health but also healthy immune function.†

Antioxidant Intake. Antioxidants are substances that can disable destructive molecules in your body called “free radicals”.† Antioxidants are found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains; foods you should be getting a lot of in your diet. But for the times when you don’t take in enough of these foods, your multi supplies a number of antioxidants: vitamins C and E, beta carotene and selenium. You might notice that levels of selenium are a little lower in this multi than in many other brands; that was done deliberately in response to new and emerging research indicating that more is not necessarily better.

Adequate levels of folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin, that, among other things, helps maintain normal red blood cells.† Ideally, you would meet your requirement through foods containing the vitamin such as spinach and other dark leafy vegetables, oranges and other fruit, whole grains, and legumes. This multi can help fill in gaps in your folic acid intake. It contains about half the level of folic acid than in many other multis because new and emerging research indicates that for certain populations, this lower level may be more beneficial in a supplement.

* The RDA is the recommended dietary allowance, determined by the Institute of Medicine, for specific age and gender groups. It may be different from the DV (daily value) that you see on supplement and food labels. In describing this multi, we’re referring to the RDAs for women and men age 51and older.

Suggested use:

As a dietary supplement, men and women age 51 or older take one (1) tablet daily with a meal, or as directed by a health care professional. As with any supplement, if you are pregnant, nursing or taking medications, consult your doctor before use.

Other ingredients:

Microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silica and food glaze.

Contains no:

Corn, yeast, wheat, milk, egg, sugar, starch, salt, artificial colors or preservatives