If you were only willing to take a few supplements every day, which ones would you choose? With hundreds of vitamins, minerals and specialty supplements available, it is easy to end up taking numerous products with considerable overlap. I prefer a simpler approach: start with a comprehensive nutritional foundation and add only what is missing or specifically needed. For that foundation, one of my favourites that I personally take is PhytoMulti by Metagenics.
PhytoMulti provides meaningful amounts of many nutrients people commonly take separately, including vitamin D3, vitamin K, vitamin C and vitamin E, along with a comprehensive B-vitamin complex. Folate and B12 are provided in their methylated forms, methylfolate and methylcobalamin. For many people, this may reduce the need for separate vitamin D, B-complex or individual B-vitamin supplements.
Several minerals are supplied in chelated or well-absorbed forms. Meaningful amounts of selenium, iodine and zinc support normal thyroid function, while chromium supports healthy glucose and insulin metabolism. PhytoMulti also provides meaningful amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, two extensively studied carotenoids that concentrate in the macula and support eye health as we age.
What really distinguishes PhytoMulti from an ordinary multivitamin is its broad spectrum of phytonutrients from pomegranate, blueberry, grape seed, green tea, citrus, rosemary and green coffee bean, along with lycopene and resveratrol. This may be particularly valuable for people who don’t consistently consume five or more servings of varied, colourful fruits and vegetables every day. PhytoMulti demonstrates high antioxidant activity in laboratory testing as reflected by its high ORAC value.
In a small human study, adults taking two PhytoMulti tablets daily for four weeks showed substantial increases in blood levels of several carotenoids. Researchers also observed reductions in oxidized LDL, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and PAI-1, biomarkers associated with oxidative and cardiovascular processes.
PhytoMulti doesn’t replace fruits and vegetables. Think of it as nutritional insurance. Even good eaters have bad days. We get busy, travel, eat takeout or simply don’t eat as well as intended. Nutrient content can also vary with growing conditions, freshness, storage, processing and preparation. A comprehensive multivitamin helps provide a consistent nutritional baseline.
If I were building a simple daily supplement stack, I would then address two areas PhytoMulti doesn’t provide in significant amounts. Many people don’t eat enough fish or obtain enough magnesium from their diet. Metagenics OmegaGenics EPA-DHA Fish Oil provides the important marine omega-3 fatty acids, complementing rather than duplicating PhytoMulti. Magnesium bisglycinate can provide additional magnesium in a well-tolerated form.
This creates a simple foundation: PhytoMulti + OmegaGenics EPA-DHA + Magnesium Bisglycinate.
From there, supplementation can be individualized. For example, women requiring additional bone support could add Metagenics Bone Builder Calcium, while other supplements can be added based on diet, age, medications, health goals or identified nutritional needs. Start with a strong foundation, fill the important gaps, and individualize from there.
Lyle Sunada is a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner and pharmacist at Cloverdale Pharmasave with special interests in hormone balancing, natural and integrative medicine.
