Can Vitamins Be Customized?
Everyone knows it’s important to get their vitamins. But do people need the same amount of certain vitamins, or does it vary? Some researchers say it varies, so vitamin supplement companies, like monthly vitamin subscription service Care/of, customize their pill offers based on your personal health and/or goals. But do these services actually work? Since supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, how do we know whether their packages contain the vitamins and minerals promised? Vitamins may not help as much as you think. Johns Hopkins researchers found that for many illnesses (especially heart-related), taking supplements didn’t make a big difference. One study involving 450,000 people found that
multivitamins did not reduce risk for heart disease or cancer. Another study tracking the mental functioning and multivitamin use of 5,947 men for 12 years found that multivitamins didn’t reduce risk for mental decline such as memory loss or slowed-down thinking, either. The only exception? Young women. Larry Appel, M.D., director of Johns Hopkins Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, says that supplemental folic acid for women of reproductive age may be helpful. “Folic acid prevents neural tube defects in babies when women take it before and during early pregnancy. That’s why multivitamins are recommended for young women.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends women of reproductive age to intake 400 micrograms of
folic acid daily, and the amount of iron in a multivitamin may be also beneficial.
But can customized vitamins make a difference? If you’re a young woman, or you have a
doctor’s orders to get a multivitamin for certain conditions or treatments, the bad news is that right now, hardly any customizable vitamins have a third-party certification for quality and accuracy. If the vitamin or brand doesn’t have ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, or U.S. Pharmacopeia certification, you simply can’t know what you’re getting. So, the best multivitamin is the one designed for your age group with third-party certification. Even if it’s a $10 bottle fromTarget, it’s likely more effective than what’s trending online.
Planning for a Bright, Tax- Responsible Retirement Taxes in Retirement
After retirement, financial security comes first and taxes play a huge role in the finances of your golden years. Your retirement savings are usually all “tax-advantaged” or pre-tax accounts, meaning that you will not pay taxes on the cash until you begin withdrawing it.
is setting aside. It is important to take advantage of this perk!
Set up a health savings account. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are similar to a personal savings account, but the funds can only be applied to health-related expenses. Funds left over in the account at the end of the year roll over, so they are never lost! HSAs have some great tax options to help optimize your tax planning. Maximize tax-advantaged savings. Based on your tax bracket, taxes will be different. Those in a lower tax bracket may want to focus on maxing out their Roth accounts while individuals in a higher tax bracket may wish to consider splitting their retirement savings between Roth and tax- deferred accounts to avoid the uncertainty of future tax rates.
Although pre-tax accounts are most common, there are other savings options. In the case of after-tax retirement accounts, the account owner pays taxes on any contributions made in that same tax year; thus, taxes aren’t due at the time of withdrawal. When preparing for your financial future, there are five steps one must take to ensure proper tax management. Plan ahead. Your retirement nest egg is greatly impacted by the time in which you begin saving. Early on, even if you are only saving in small amounts, your savings are still important. If you are still young, investing in risky areas such as stocks may be beneficial. Having returns that surpass inflation maintains purchasing power in
retirement. It is ideal to begin saving in your 20s, but it is NEVER too late.
Calculate your future spending needs. Evaluate your current spending habits and the changes that you expect to take place as you enter retirement. Take into account rent, mortgage, utilities, medical expenses, entertainment, and food. Depending on the taxes that will be incurred at retirement, your spending may require some adjustments. Try employee matching. Sometimes, employers offer either a full or partial match to aid in saving for retirement. Employer matching of 401(k) contributions means that the employer will contribute a certain amount toward a retirement savings account, based on how much the employee
For all of your retirement tax needs, we are here to help! Contact us today!
This is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax advice. Consult your tax advisor regarding your situation.
2 • CampbellWealth.com
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