What Is the Purpose of Taking Multivitamins?
Multivitamins, whether in pill, gummy, or liquid form, contain a specifically formulated combination of vitamins and minerals aimed at sustaining a person's systemic health. While some multivitamins are primarily targeted for boosting immunity, some high risk population groups such as pregnant women, lactating women, geriatric people or individuals whose nutritional requirements are more as in the case of athletes, sports players or bodybuilders require a multivitamin supplement on a daily basis. A multivitamin diet will also be extremely beneficial to individuals who follow limited diets or consume fruits and vegetables limitedly to fill in their nutrition gaps. For example these supplements are available commonly as vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin C, or vitamin E supplements. In some conditions like pregnancy or even in systemic or nutrient deficiencies, the body requires more amounts of folate, choline, and iron. In pregnancy, folate and iron consumption is particularly linked to the prevention of neural tube defects and iron deficiency anemia. Multivitamins are helpful tools to meet nutrition needs or fill the nutrition gaps caused either by poor or restricted diet or nature of medical conditions.
Why Multivitamins Cannot Compensate for Dietary Nutrient Requirements?
A point to note from a nutritional perspective is that a multivitamin cannot compensate for the bodily needs or nutrient intake like food. The food consumed is the primary fuel and source of energy that yields simple or complex carbohydrates, resistant fiber, heart healthy unsaturated fat and even macronutrients or protein. There are several micronutrients and minerals that are needed like potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and iron needed for bodily activity, cellular and immune functions. Hence the diet is the fundamental source of energy in nature and just taking a multivitamin supplement cannot protect a person from the risk of developing nutrient deficiency and chronic diseases. Overall it is important for any individual of any age group to consume a wholesome balanced and diverse diet for sustaining body functions and energy.
Which Groups Are at High Risk and in Need of Supplements?
A multivitamin supplement is definitely recommended by a professional healthcare provider for the following risk groups, especially for the people who are predisposed to or who are at an increased risk of developing nutrient deficiencies such as:
-
The pregnant women or those who are trying to conceive.
-
Those who are in the nursing or lactation phase.
-
Individuals in lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
-
Individuals living in poor socioeconomic and environmental conditions.
-
Individuals with restricted access to diet or reduced access to a wide variety of foods.
-
Individuals with medical issues of nutrient malabsorption, colitis (inflammation of colon), or celiac disease.
-
Individuals with gastrointestinal issues or history.
What Cautions Should Be Considered Regarding Multivitamin Dosage?
The current medical research sheds light on a fact is that while most of the healthy individuals or multivitamin users of today already tend to have a good nutrient intake from diet alone, the populations on the other hand that are at most risk of developing nutritional malabsorption or inadequacy are least likely of these groups take a multivitamin supplement. However most nutrition experts across the globe concur that though it would be deemed unnecessary for healthy individuals to consume or take a multivitamin supplement on a daily basis, but it would still be considered quite safe for a majority of population to prevent themselves from developing underlying systemic conditions or risks they may be predisposed to. It is important to note that taking a low dose of broad spectrum multivitamin is the safest choice for healthy individuals after 50 to 60 years. Taking multivitamin supplements in higher dosages or more than once in a day will make the person overloaded on nutrients.
Hence, it is not to exceed the adequate intake level that is deemed necessary for body composition or medical status that is usually suggested by a licensed and registered healthcare professional like a dietician or a nutritionist. Exceeding the upper tolerable intake level for daily vitamins, though not harmful, would probably pose long term safety concerns according to current nutrition science and research.
What Is the Importance of Taking a Balanced Diet?
According to the information given by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), a balanced diet mainly involves consumption of varied nutrient rich foods through diet or foods that can meet up the daily nutritional needs by intaking nutrient dense food and beverages. This mainly involves choosing from a wide variety of options from different food groups such as fresh fruits, vegetables, plant proteins, legumes, beans, grains, protein foods, dairy or fortified soy products. The advantage of having a varied nutrient rich diet is that it can help to prevent long term risks of chronic disease associated with the impact of aging. These diseases for instance like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, certain cancers can be prevented from a young age itself by implementing proper diet and lifestyle factors such as moderate exercise regimens. From diet, not only vitamins and minerals received for bodily endurance and daily metabolism, but the amounts of daily essential dietary fiber, fluid, unsaturated or heart healthy fat, protein and phytonutrients are the most important influencers of general or systemic health.
Conclusion
Multivitamins are hence deemed more of supplements to a nutrient rich and balanced diet and it is not wiser to depend on them completely for health needs and sustaining systemic health. The rationale behind prescribing a multivitamin supplement is for the individuals who are not or who may not be getting enough vitamins, minerals or micronutrients through their daily diet alone. Remember that there is nothing as healthy as the consumption of a balanced, nutrient dense and diverse diet. According to the expert advice of global healthcare professionals, it is always recommended to get a good supply of daily nutrients through diet or food. For individuals who follow vegetarian or vegan diets or any individual to get individualized eating plans or to get help regarding current systemic status, it is always important to consider the wiser possibility of consulting a registered dietitian or nutritionist who can determine their nutritional requirements easily.
