Multivitamin Weight Loss

The simple formula for weight loss is to burn up more calories than you consume. As you reduce your calories, though, you run the risk of not getting enough of the essential nutrients your body needs to maintain its normal function. Consequently, a multivitamin can help you maintain proper nutrition as you shed pounds.

Need

Exercise is a part of almost every weight loss programs, but it can also use up many of the vitamins and minerals in the body. That's why you need to make sure you consume the recommended daily allowance of vitamins, though that will be harder to do as you reduce calories. Take a multivitamin as part of your dietary program, as it will help you prevent disease, maintain energy and keep your immune system strong.

How Much?

One pill a day probably won't be enough. Just as you most likely spread your meals out throughout the day to keep your blood sugar level steady and avoid hunger-causing spikes in blood sugar, you will want to make sure you are getting a constant supply of vitamins. Choose a multivitamin that you can take two or three times a day.
At the same time, know what you are taking. For instance, many multivitamins contain calcium, iron, potassium and zinc, all of which are necessary for good health. However, if you take too much you could wind up with muscle weakness, an elevated heart rate and stomach bleeding.

Weight Loss Formulas

Some manufacturers offer weight loss formulas based on their multivitamins. These formulations are generally multivitamins with herbs such as green tea added, but you really don't need this type of vitamin if you follow a sound dietary plan. Instead, concentrate on finding a good quality multivitamin.

B Vitamins

Your multivitamin should include B-complex vitamins, most importantly riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, choline and inositol. Riboflavin and pyridoxine are needed for normal function of the thyroid and the metabolism. Niacin is necessary for thyroid hormone production, and it's part of the glucose tolerance factor. If you don't have enough pantothenic acid in your diet you will have trouble utilizing fat. It also helps with energy production and adrenal function. Choline and inositol aid in fat metabolism.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another important nutrient that you should make sure is included in your multivitamin. It has a number of healthful benefits, but for weight loss it helps convert glucose into energy that can be used by cells.