A multivitamin contains a variety of vitamins and minerals essential for proper health and nutrition. Many multivitamins are produced for a specific age group, gender or health condition, such as pregnancy. Depending on these factors, the amount of vitamins and minerals in a multivitamin varies. While manufacturers claim that multivitamins have a variety of health benefits, including increased immune system function, heart disease and cancer, studies have concluded that multivitamins may not be as beneficial as claimed.
Health Benefits
In a study of 161,808 women reported in the February 2009 issue of the "Archives of Internal Medicine," a team of scientists led by Marian L. Neuhouser of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found no evidence linking daily multivitamin consumption to decreased incidence of disease, including breast and colon cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. In fact, women who ate a well-rounded diet replete with fruits and vegetables had a lower incidence of disease whether they took a multivitamin or not. According to the American Dietetic Association, receiving nutrients from real food rather than a pill is ideal, as the whole food contains a variety of nutrients. There is no harm in taking a multivitamin if you wish. However, view it as a supplement to your diet, not a strategy to obtain essential nutrients and vitamins because you don't eat a well-rounded diet.
Who Should Take Multivitamins
If you do not get enough exposure to the sun, you may have a vitamin D deficiency. If so, you may need to take a daily vitamin D pill to ensure your body gets adequate amounts of vitamin D. Pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant should take folic acid supplements to prevent neurological birth defects. People over 50 may need extra vitamin B-12 and iron.
Toxicity and Danger
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that multivitamin labels list a single daily value. The daily value is a reference that can help you determine what your dietary needs are. It is usually based on a diet of 2,000 calories per day. Daily values differ widely based on age, gender and health conditions, however, so the daily value may not adequately reflect your nutritional needs. If you consume supplements in excess of the recommended daily value that best suits you, you are in danger of overdosing, which can lead to death.
Considerations
If you are on chemotherapy, avoid vitamin C supplements, as vitamin C can counteract chemotherapy. Always speak with your doctor or dietitian before beginning to take a daily multivitamin; some vitamins and minerals can counteract or interact with one another in ways that can make you very sick.
References
- "The Wall Street Journal"; Multivitamins: So Many Types, So Many Labels; Melinda Beck; June 2011
- "The New York Times"; Health: Study Finds No Benefit From Daily Multivitamin; Tara Parker-Pope; February 2009
- MSNBC; Popping Vitamins Is Common, but Benefits Are Few; Rachel Rettner; April 2011
- Women's Health Initiative; Multivitamin Use and Risk of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease in the Women's Health Initiative Cohorts; February 2009
Member Comments