About a third of U.S. adults use dietary supplements, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 1999 to 2000. Multivitamins are for general use and for people with specific health conditions; prenatal vitamins provide more of certain nutrients that pregnant and lactating women need.
Definitions
The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board developed Dietary Reference Intakes to provide estimates of optimal nutrient intakes for healthy people. The estimates determine the vitamin and mineral content in multivitamins and prenatal vitamins. Optimal intakes "promote health and reduce risk of chronic disease," according to a December 2009 position paper of the American Dietetic Association, and minimize the risk of over-supplementation, which can result in toxicity.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins increase the intake of vitamins that a balanced diet normally provides. Many healthy adults, older adults, infants, children and those at risk of vitamin deficiencies use multivitamins to supplement their diets. For example, the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food decreases with age, so older adults are at risk. Many older adults are at risk for calcium and vitamin D deficiency because their diets often do not meet the recommended levels. In general, a multivitamin is not necessary for a healthy individual who eats a nutritious, well-balanced diet. However, when dietary intake does not meet the recommended amount of nutrients based on the DRI, a multivitamin can provide the extra vitamins the diet lacks.
Prenatal Vitamins
Adequate vitamin and mineral intake during pregnancy affects the health of both mother and baby. Prenatal vitamins provide higher amounts of specific vitamins and minerals that may reduce the risk of neural tube defects and miscarriage. Prenatal vitamins provide higher amounts of folic acid, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc. The American Dietetic Association recommends vitamin B12 for some pregnant women who follow vegan or lacto-ovo vegetarian diets.
Considerations
Taking a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin does not replace the need for eating a healthy diet that offers a variety of nutrient-dense foods. If you think your diet may be lacking, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian for advice on how to improve your diet. If needed, these health professionals can also make recommendations for appropriate vitamin supplements.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know
- National Institutes of Health: Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes
- "Nutrition and Diagnosis Related Care"; Silvia Escott-Stump; 2008
- "Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease"; Maurice Shils; 2006
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrient Supplementation; Melissa Marra, et al.; Dec. 2009
- "American Journal of Epidemiology"; Dietary Supplement Use by US Adults: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000; Kathy Radimer, et al.; 2004.
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