It can be difficult to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need through the food you eat; that's where a multivitamin can come in. If you eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods, you might not need a multivitamin. However, if you do not eat a balanced diet or if you have a medical condition, you might benefit from a multivitamin. Ask your doctor about your situation.
To Meet Nutritional Gaps
Although the body best absorbs foods from natural sources, multivitamins are an option to get nutrients you might not get from your diet. For example, if your diet does not contain enough iron, vitamin C or vitamin D, you might experience nutritional deficiencies like weak bones and fewer red blood cells. Taking a multivitamin can help you to make up for nutritional gaps in your diet. This is especially true if you eat a strict vegetarian or low-calorie diet, because these tend to be lower in key nutrients.
For Children
Because children may not have yet expanded their nutritional tastes, a multivitamin can help compensate for nutritional deficiencies. Your child's pediatrician may recommend a multivitamin for your child if your child does not eat well-balanced meals, does not seem to be getting enough vitamin D for healthy bones, has food allergies or eats a restrictive diet. Read the labels carefully to ensure the multivitamin is appropriate for your child's age. Teach your child that multivitamins are not candy and to take only the vitamins you give her.
To Meet Special Nutritional Needs
Certain groups of people require extra vitamins and nutrients because a medical condition means they may not be able to take in enough foods in their daily diet. For example, pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding often need extra nutrients to support their baby's healthy growth. Those with nutrient absorption disorders also may need to take a multivitamin; this can include people with colitis, ileitis, pancreatitis, AIDS or cancer. There are other conditions that might call for a multivitamin; talk to your doctor.
To Make Up for Age-Related Nutrition Requirements
As you age, your body's ability to absorb nutrients like vitamins D and B12 diminishes. If you are older than age 50, you may need to take a multivitamin to compensate for this change in nutritional needs. Choose a multivitamin that contains at least 600 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D and at least 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 each day.
References
- MayoClinic; Should I Give Multivitamins to My Preschooler, Who's a Picky Eater?; Dr. Jay Hoecker; August 2010
- Consumer Reports Health; Do I Need a Multivitamin?; October 2007
- American Council on Exercise; Should I Take a Multivitamin?; Natalie Digate Muth; June 2010
- The Diet Channel; Multivitamins: Do You Need a Multivitamin?; Dena McDowell, MS, RD; October 2006
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