Multiple vitamin and mineral supplements (multis) are an important part of a health maintenance program because they contain a number of essential nutrients, and are a convenient way to take a variety of supplemental nutrients in a single product. Of course, supplements can’t take the place of a healthful, well-balanced diet—but they can help prevent nutritional deficiencies that are surprisingly common, as well as achieve higher intakes of nutrients believed to be beneficial when taken above typical dietary levels.

Finding the “right” multi can be difficult. Perhaps you’ve walked the aisles of a pharmacy, grocery, or health-food store trying to figure out which of the seemingly endless supplement choices is right for you. The following questionnaire will take the guesswork out of choosing the right multi. After answering a few simple questions, you’ll have a much better idea what your multivitamin/mineral supplement should contain to meet your personal health needs.

Do you eat:

Based upon your answers, here is your suggested personalized multivitamin:

• If you are pregnant you should discuss the use of supplemental iron, vitamin K, calcium, and perhaps other nutrients with a nutritionally oriented physician.
• If you are a vegan you might consider discussing possible special needs for vitamin D, iodine, zinc, and calcium with a nutritionally oriented doctor.
• Due to your disease that might cause malabsorption, you should consult a nutritionally oriented physician to tailor a multivitamin/mineral supplement to meet your unique health needs.
• If you have kidney disease you should not take a multivitamin/mineral supplement without consulting with a nephrologist (kidney specialist).