How many times have you decided you want to take a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement but, when confronted with a dozen or so choices, you didn’t know which one would be best for you? Or, if you’re a health-care practitioner, do you have trouble choosing which probiotic is best for your patients? This is one of our most frequently asked questions: Which _____ is best for me?

Because Thorne knows that “one size doesn’t fit all” in supplements, we often offer multiple choices of products within a particular category. That’s why Thorne product quizzes were developed by our medical team – so you can identify which product is best for you.

We now have more than a dozen quizzes that will enable you to narrow down your choices.

Multi-vitamin/mineral quiz – our most popular quiz

There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about the need for multi-vitamin/mineral supplementation. Some so-called experts say you get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat. But do you? One answer is, “Yes, if you are relatively healthy, you probably could.”

But do most American adults eat a diet that provides them with sufficient amounts of the various health-giving vitamins and minerals they need for optimal health? The answer is, “Probably not.” The vitamins and minerals in a well-formulated “multi“ support all aspects of health.

Because of the nutrient-depleted soils where most vegetables and fruits are now grown, as well as other deficiencies of our current food supply, AND because very few American adults eat the recommended five daily servings of health-giving fruits and vegetables, many nutrition experts agree that a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement taken daily will help fill the nutrition gap.1 But with six Thorne multi formulas plus three protein powders that include a multi, which one is the best choice for you or your child? Take the quiz and find out.

Fish oil quiz

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for every cell in the body to function properly – and they have particular importance for the heart, blood vessels, brain, nerves, blood sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, and skin.* The only way to obtain omega-3 fatty acids is through the diet or supplementation because the body doesn't produce them.

And because the body doesn’t produce omega-3s or certain omega-6 fatty acids (like GLA from borage oil), they are referred to as essential fatty acids. It is common for a person to be low in the essential fatty acids, particular the omega-3s EPA and DHA, because the primary dietary sources of these important fatty acids are fatty fish, like salmon, trout, anchovies, sardines, and mackerel.

So, if you don’t eat a lot of fish regularly, then you should take a fish oil supplement. Thorne has eight different omega-3 supplements to choose from. Which one is best for you? Take the quiz and see what we recommend.

Probiotics quiz

Because of the broad-ranging health benefits of probiotics, they can provide added protection for maintaining good health.* In addition to supporting a healthy GI tract, research points to other benefits for having a healthy gut microbiome, for both physical and emotional health – all of which can be supported by a probiotic.*

While all probiotics can benefit the GI tract, some offer additional benefits – for vaginal and urinary tract health, immune function, maintaining a healthy weight, or benefitting travelers, for example.* Because one size does not fit all, Thorne offers six probiotic products that support individual needs. Which one is best for you? Take our quiz.

B-complex quiz

Most B vitamins do not remain stored in the body, so they must be acquired daily from the diet to help maintain optimal health.* Therefore, supplementing with tissue-ready B vitamins is important for everyone, especially individuals who might be unable to convert non-active B vitamins in the liver to their active forms.* 

While a B-complex supplement can benefit everyone, certain individuals can find particular benefit from taking a B-complex supplement because of increased need or decreased intake, including:

  • Individuals who are experiencing a lot of stress*
  • Women with PMS symptoms*
  • Vegans and vegetarians because of decreased intake of certain B vitamins
  • Athletes engaging in strenuous exercise (B vitamins are water-soluble and can be lost in sweat)
  • The elderly because of decreased intake and poor absorption
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women because of increased need
  • Individuals with GI conditions that result in inadequate intake and absorption
  • Individuals on diuretics or with a health condition that results in increased urination (due to loss in the urine)
  • Heavy alcohol consumers

Every vitamin B-complex supplement that Thorne makes provides all eight of the B vitamins plus choline, but just in different amounts. Which is the ideal vitamin B-complex for you? Take this quiz.

Healthy aging quiz

No matter your age or life stage, it’s never too early to add a healthy aging formula to your wellness routine. Thorne’s healthy aging quiz analyzes your age, gender, fitness level, and lifestyle to pinpoint recommendations to support your mind and body.* Interested in going deeper? Check out Thorne’s Biological Age Health Panel; more insight on your body’s health is just a simple lab visit away. 

Try an individual quiz or explore all of our quizzes here. Taking tests was never so much fun.

Reference

1. Ward E. Addressing nutrition gaps with multivitamin and mineral supplements. Nutr J 2014;13:72.