Here's how you can narrow the search for the perfect vitamin supplement brand.

1. Consider your needs.

The very basic vitamin supplements contain dosages of vital nutrients and minerals based on the Recommended Dietary Allowance of a population. However, you may need to gain weight, in which case you will need vitamin supplements with carbohydrates and protein in them. Check with your doctor first.

2. Check for "chelated" on the label.

The best sources of vitamins and minerals are fruits and vegetables. Ideally, we should be eating raw vegetables and plenty of fruits. But this rarely happens with today's busy lifestyle, hence the need for vitamin supplements. Synthetic vitamins have a chemical structure that's different from the nutrients found in raw vegetables and fruits, and this is the reason why most of the nutrients in one vitamin tablet just pass through the intestines and into your bathroom's toilet bowl.

The best vitamin supplements are those with chelated minerals. Chelated minerals are coated with amino acids, which make it easy for them to pass through the walls of the intestines and into your body's bloodstream.

3. Check for trace co-factor mineral content

Many vitamins and enzymes need a mineral co-factor to work properly inside the body. These include:

Zinc

Zinc is essential to the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein and DNA and RNA replication. Zinc functions as an antioxidant that helps in retaining healthy bones, a robust immune system, and healthy vision. Zinc is equally important for baby's normal growth inside the womb.

Selenium

Selenium is an important component of the glutathione peroxidase antioxidant system, which helps combat the disintegrating effects of free radicals and is important for thyroid hormone metabolism. Many studies indicate that Selenium is important for maintaining a healthy immune system, and men's prostate health.

Magnesium

Like calcium, Magnesium is very important for healthy bones and teeth, around 70% of the body's magnesium is found in the bones and teeth. Magnesium is also vital for the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids, as well as for bringing hundreds of enzymes to life. Magnesium is also important for neuromuscular contractions.