Is it necessary to take a multivitamin?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-21

Welcome to follow me, with the screenshot of the attention, a free copy of the pdf electronic version of "Osteoarthritis That Little Thing" worth 49 yuan, private message to learn more.

As an ACE certified personal fitness trainer, nutritionist, and health manager, we will provide you with more valuable nutrition and health knowledge.

Multivitamins are readily available,** inexpensive, and generally considered safe, but are they necessary?

The general consensus is that healthy people who eat the right diet only need vitamin or mineral supplementation if they are diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

For older people, this often means a deficiency of vitamins B12, B6, or D or minerals such as calcium or magnesium.

Even so, it's best to increase your intake of foods rich in these important nutrients.

If you can't eat enough of the right food, have a digestive disorder that affects absorption, or have very low levels of a particular vitamin or mineral, your doctor may prescribe a daily supplement to that nutrient.

However, if you're concerned that you're not getting enough of one or more vitamins or minerals, your doctor may recommend taking a multivitamin.

Multivitamins contain most combinations of vitamins and minerals and typically do not exceed the daily intake or recommended dietary intake for these nutrients.

If you don't have a deficiency, is it OK to take a daily multivitamin?

For the average healthy person, a diet high in fruits and vegetables usually provides enough essential vitamins and minerals.

Despite this, some medical experts still believe that multivitamins "may help, not harm".

These products can provide a safety net to fill dietary nutrient gaps, even for most people who eat a healthy diet.

Studies have shown that taking a multivitamin as prescribed doesn't usually cause any serious problems, and many over-the-counter brands** are relatively inexpensive.

In addition, some people can get a psychological boost by taking a multivitamin in the morning.

It's another way to support a proactive, healthy lifestyle, as well as exercising, drinking enough water, and managing stress.

If you feel that a multivitamin might be good for you, it doesn't hurt to take one.

But be aware of its limitations.

Multivitamins provide some extra vitamins and minerals that you may occasionally lack in your daily diet, but they are not a substitute for a healthy diet.

Taking them does not confer special health benefits or protection against disease.

The Truth About Vitamins D, B12 and B6

The three common vitamin deficiencies in older adults are D, B12, and B6.

Few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D, and getting enough of other natural ** (sunlight) can be challenging as people try to protect** from the sun.

Vitamin B12 deficiency may be due to decreased stomach acid production due to aging, or regular use of proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers to control heartburn or reflux.

Without enough stomach acid, it is difficult for the body to absorb vitamin B12 from food.

Low levels of b12 and b6 may stem from digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis, as well as surgeries such as gastric bypass surgery.

Blood tests can detect most vitamin deficiencies, and then your doctor may prescribe a separate vitamin or multivitamin to help boost levels.

Choose wisely

While it's safe to start self-medicating a multivitamin, your doctor may recommend a specific brand.

Otherwise, you can choose from a variety of products on the shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies.

There are a few things to keep in mind.

The FDA regulates multivitamins as a food subcategory, but not in the same way that it handles prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

This means that the FDA only monitors claims about disease** on product labels.

For example, multivitamins can't claim** specific conditions on their labels, such as "reduces heart disease risk" or "reduces heart disease risk." or "dementia prevention".

The guidelines do allow the use of phrases such as "promotes heart health." or "Immune Support".

However, any such phrase must be followed by the following text: "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration." This product is not intended to diagnose,** or prevent any disease. ”

This ambiguity leaves a lot of leeway for manufacturers to present their products. Many people don't realize the difference.

They see 'heart health'" and automatically think it's beneficial, even though there may not be anything in the product that shows effectiveness.

It is recommended to purchase brands that bear the NSF International Dietary Supplement Certification or the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Dietary Supplement Verification Program seal on the label.

They can all provide confidence in the product's ingredients.

Related Pages