Foods naturally contain multiple vitamins and minerals. Yet when you do not eat a balanced diet of nutrient-dense foods, you may become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. Taking multiple vitamins and minerals supplements can help you increase your dietary intake of nutrients. Plus, supplements may also be beneficial in the prevention or treatment of certain medical conditions. Consult your doctor or nutritionist about your diet and the benefits of taking multiple vitamins and minerals.
Colon Cancer
Taking multiple vitamins and minerals can lower your risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer often begins as small noncancerous clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps that reside in your large intestine and over time develop into cancer. Research by scientists at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts and published in "Cancer Causes & Control" in November 2010 discovered increasing intake of multivitamin minerals is associated with a lowered risk of colon cancer. The scientists conclude more research is needed to understand the relationship between multiple vitamins and prevention of colon cancer.
Obesity
The increase in the number of people of all age groups who are obese has become a global epidemic. Obesity can result in decreased absorption of certain nutrients from food. Taking multiple vitamins and minerals supplements can help to decrease body weight and improve nutritional health. Research by scientists at Harbin Medical University in China and published in the "International Journal of Obesity" in June 2010 found that multivitamin and mineral supplementation can reduce body weight and fatness and improve blood cholesterol in obese individuals. The scientists conclude that multiple vitamins and minerals may help to increase calorie expenditure and fat oxidation which can lead to weight loss.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age related macular degeneration is a disease that destroys your ability to see fine details and usually occurs in people who are above 60 years of age. Taking multiple vitamin mineral supplements can reduce your risk of advanced age macular degeneration. Research published in "Evidence Report Technology Assessment" in May 2006 discovered multiple vitamins and minerals supplements may prevent advanced age-related macular degeneration.
Infection
Type 2 diabetics have an increased risk of infections. Taking multiple vitamin and mineral supplements may reduce the risk of infections. Research by scientists at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Charlotte and published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in March 2003 found that a multivitamin and mineral supplement reduces the incidence of infections in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a high prevalence of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Colon Cancer; 2009
- "Cancer Causes & Control"; Intakes of Vitamins A, C, and E and Use of Multiple Vitamin Supplements and Risk of Colon Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies; Yikyung Park, et al.; Nov 2010
- World Health Organization; Obesity and Overweight; 2006
- "International Journal of Obesity"; Effects of Multivitamin and Mineral Supplementation on Adiposity, Energy Expenditure and Lipid Profiles in Obese Chinese Women; Y. Li, et al.; Jun 2010
- MedlinePlus; Macular Degeneration; June 21 2011
- "Evidence Report Technology Assessment"; Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Prevention of Chronic Disease; Han-Yo Huang, et al.; May 2006
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