Multivitamin & Mineral Supplements

Multivitamin and mineral supplements should not completely substitute for food sources of vitamins and minerals because supplements do not contain all the benefits and nutrients of natural and whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Medical professionals typically recommend multivitamin and mineral supplements to supplement a healthy diet or to provide specific nutrients required because of a deficiency or medical condition. As with any health supplement, speak with a medical professional before taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Definition

Vitamin and mineral supplements are concentrated sources of vitamin and mineral nutrients alone or in combinations. Manufacturers market various forms and formulations of multivitamin and mineral supplements, including powders, liquids, capsules and tablets. Doctors will typically recommend you take a specific quantity of the vitamin and mineral supplement per day to supplement the intake of vitamins and/or minerals from your normal diet.

Who Takes Multivitamin Supplements?

Donald Hensrud, M.D. from MayoClinic.com makes reference to a study that found more than half of all adults in the U.S. take dietary supplements. He also mentions an increased concern regarding the actual benefits of the most common dietary supplement, multivitamins. Hensrud further states states that some of these multivitamin products can have harmful effects. For example, multivitamin products with beta carotene can increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. However, Hensrud also states that some multivitamins can benefit specific groups of individuals. For example, multivitamin supplements with vitamin D and calcium can benefit groups of individuals at risk for osteoporosis.

Evidence of Benefits

According to an article published by Harvard School of Public Health, taking a daily multivitamin and an extra vitamin D supplement can help you ensure that your body receives all of the nutrients required for optimal health. The article further states that folic acid, for example, may lower the risk of heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer. Another example cited by the article is vitamin D. Taking a multivitamin supplement that contains vitamin D can lower your risk of colon cancer.

Evidence Against Supplements

According to the book "The A to Z of Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements," in 2006, the National Institutes of Health gathered an expert panel to review the available evidence on nutritional supplements. The expert panel concluded that clinical evidence does not support the health benefits of taking multivitamin and mineral supplements. The study did not, however, specifically find any harm or problems associated with taking these supplements.