Why is Taking a Multivitamin Pill Daily Recommended?
Supplementation
Are there risks associated with taking supplements?
It is generally safe to take most supplements, but some exceptions may apply. As reported by Harvard Health, high doses of beta carotene have been linked to a greater risk of lung cancer in smokers and extra calcium and vitamin D may increase the risk of kidney stones in certain individuals.
What benefits can specialized MVMs offer?
MVMs are often a combination of several vitamins and minerals with botanical and specialty ingredients, and are available in packs of two or more pills for users to take daily. As stated by the National Institutes of Health, such specialized MVMs offer benefits such as energy, enhanced athletic performance, weight control, improved immune function, or eye health. Research has shown that certain vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts can help to support overall health.
Do you need to take vitamin supplements?
Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements to get their essential nutrients, as a healthy, balanced diet can provide all that is needed. According to the NHS, vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium and vitamin C are required in small amounts for the body to function properly. Although many people choose to take supplements, excessive use can cause health problems.
Well-being
Can multivitamins help promote healthy aging?
Taking a multivitamin every day can help promote healthy aging, according to certified personal trainer Sergio Pedemonte. He suggests that this is due to the body's decreased ability to absorb nutrients as it ages. Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health has shown multivitamins may also reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Can taking a daily multivitamin benefit most people?
Taking a daily multivitamin is a cost-effective way to insure against hidden micronutrient deficiencies, as research from Forbes Health shows [1]. Most people can benefit from taking a multivitamin, with the risks being very low. Multivitamins can help fill in nutritional gaps in the diet and prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Is it safe to take supplements?
In general, most supplements are safe to take, but there are exceptions. Harvard Health recommends caution when taking high doses of beta carotene, extra calcium and vitamin D, as they have been linked to an increased risk of adverse health effects in some individuals.
Brain Health
Can multivitamins help keep my brain healthy?
Yes, taking a multivitamin may help to keep your brain healthy. As indicated by Harvard Health's Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the Foods and Nutrients You Need to Stay Healthy, there is evidence that supports the benefits and safety profiles of various vitamins and minerals. Research has found that consuming a balanced diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Can dietary supplements improve brain health?
Brain health supplements have not been proven to be effective in clinical trials, so it is not recommended to buy them. According to Harvard Health, there is not much evidence from randomized clinical trials on isolated vitamins or minerals and brain health, so it is not recommended to purchase these types of supplements. Studies have shown that a balanced diet and lifestyle are the best methods for promoting brain health.
Are multivitamins beneficial for reducing health risks?
Multivitamins are not beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, or early death, according to the researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine in 2019. Some studies have shown that vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements can be harmful at high doses.
Immunity
Should I take a daily multivitamin?
It is recommended to take a daily multivitamin, as it typically contains 26 different vitamins and minerals and provides 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of these micronutrients. As stated by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Nutrition Source, taking a daily multivitamin can be beneficial in maintaining a balanced diet. Research has found that taking a daily multivitamin may help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.
Are multivitamins necessary for good health?
Multivitamins do not make you significantly healthier, according to Harvard Health's Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the foods and nutrients you need to stay healthy (2022). While there may be some health benefits, it is important to remember that food is still the best source of vitamins and minerals.
What is the best time to take a multivitamin?
The best time of day to take a multivitamin is not set in stone, but it is important to read the label carefully to ensure the right amount is taken. As mentioned in WebMD, taking multivitamins can have health benefits, however avoiding taking too much or too little of the daily recommended amount is key. Research suggests that taking multivitamins regularly may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Heart Health
Are multivitamins and multimineral supplements beneficial for health?
Multivitamins and multimineral supplements do not have substantial evidence of improving health outcomes, according to Harvard Health's 'Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the foods and nutrients you need to stay healthy'. It is recommended to get the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals from food sources rather than supplements.
When might a vitamin supplement be necessary?
A daily multivitamin or individual vitamins might be recommended for those with highly restrictive diets, gastrointestinal conditions, or certain weight-loss surgeries that cause poor nutrient absorption. A vitamin D supplement may be necessary when a person gets insufficient sun exposure, as suggested by Harvard Health in 2022. Vitamins are essential for maintaining proper bodily functioning, and the daily recommended amount varies from person to person.
What is the link between folic acid and heart health?
Folic acid has been linked to lowering homocysteine levels, which can harden arteries, according to Cleveland Clinic in 2021. Studies have been mixed on whether folic acid supplements can help reduce the risk of heart disease, but it is clear that a healthy diet rich in folic acid and other B vitamins is important for heart health.
Bone Strength
What is necessary for optimal bone health?
Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, as well as other physical functions like muscle control and blood circulation. As mentioned in OrthoInfo - AAOS, a balanced diet alongside proper calcium and Vitamin D intake is necessary for optimal bone health. Research has suggested that calcium deficiencies can lead to a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
What is the role of Vitamin D in managing or preventing osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can be managed or prevented with the help of certain supplements, such as Vitamin D according to Healthline (Feb 11, 2021). Vitamin D is essential for bone health, as it helps absorb calcium and regulate bone turnover. Other supplements such as calcium, magnesium, boron, and vitamin K2 may also help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Do multivitamins help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline or early death?
Multivitamins have been found to be ineffective in reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline or early death, according to a study by Hopkins Medicine. Prior studies have indicated that vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements can be harmful, particularly when taken in large doses. Eating a balanced diet is the best way to get the nutrients your body needs.
Skin Health
What are the health benefits of taking multivitamins?
Multivitamins provide many health benefits, including support for skin health and protection against free radicals. As stated by WebMD, the recommended RDA is 400 micrograms or 100% DV, and some cereals and products contain folic acid. Research suggests that taking a multivitamin may reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Do I need daily supplements?
Most people do not need daily supplements, as their diet should provide sufficient nutrients. As indicated by Harvard Health, high doses of beta carotene have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers, and extra calcium and vitamin D may increase the risk of kidney stones.
Multivitamins do not reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline or early death, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine in 2019. Vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements may be harmful in large doses. To ensure proper nutrition, it is best to get vitamins and minerals from a balanced diet.
Stress Reduction
Can vitamins help reduce the effects of stress?
Taking vitamins for stress can help reduce the impact of stress on the body, as indicated by U.S. News in their article Vitamins for Stress: Do They Work? published in April 2022. A balanced diet and lifestyle can also be beneficial to aid in stress relief.
Should I take a daily multivitamin?
It is generally advisable to take a daily multivitamin as they typically contain 26 different vitamins and minerals and often provide 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of these micronutrients, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Nutrition Source website. Taking a multivitamin can supplement dietary deficiencies and ensure that the body is receiving the key vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally.
Can taking multivitamins help improve skin and hair health?
Taking multivitamin supplements everyday can help reduce black spots, redness, wrinkles, and rough patches on skin while making hair shinier and healthier, according to Apollo Edoc (2020). Vitamin C, D, E, and K are all important for this purpose, as well as Vitamin B for hair. Studies have also shown that multivitamins can help improve overall health and well-being.
Vision Health
Is it safe to take supplements?
It is generally safe to take supplements, however there are certain exceptions that can be dangerous. Attributed to Harvard Health, high doses of beta carotene have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers, and extra calcium and vitamin D may increase the risk of kidney stones.
What are the benefits of Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is an important nutrient for vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity, as well as having antioxidant properties. From Mayo Clinic, it is also protective against the effects of free radicals.
What are important vision supplements for eye health?
Zinc, zeaxanthin, and selenium are important vision supplements for maintaining eye health. Via WebMD (2020), men should take 11 mg of zinc, while women should take 8 mg, and women during pregnancy and when breast-feeding should take 11 mg and 12 mg respectively. Zeaxanthin does not have a recommended daily amount, and teens and adults should take 55 mcg of selenium, with pregnant women taking 60 mcg and those who are breast-feeding taking 70 mcg. In addition, research has shown that antioxidants in the diet such as vitamins C and E may help protect against certain eye diseases.
Digestive Health
Do multivitamins provide any health benefits for the general population?
Multivitamins have potential benefits for certain populations, but for the general population, there is little evidence to support their use. Mentioned in a study done by Johns Hopkins Medicine in 2021, multivitamins do not provide any additional health benefits for the general population. Eating a balanced diet with whole grains and other nutrient-rich food can help to improve heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer risk, as well as aiding digestion.
Can taking multiple multivitamin products be dangerous?
It is not recommended to take more than the recommended dose of a multivitamin, and taking similar vitamin products together can lead to serious side effects. As stated by Drugs.com, taking more than one multivitamin product at the same time should only be done under the advice of a doctor. Many multivitamins contain minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium.
What are the potential risks of taking too much vitamins?
Multivitamins, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 should be taken in recommended amounts to benefit from their health benefits without risking any negative impact to the organs. From an article on the Indian Express, excess of vitamins can cause harm to the digestive system, liver, heart, lungs and nerves. It is advised to consume 2.4 micrograms of Vitamin B-12 to fight fatigue and no more than that as the body will only absorb what it needs and pass the rest out.
Source:
- Harvard : you, a daily supplement, - Harvard Health.
- Thelist : You, A Multivitamin, This, What.
- Harvard : a multivitamin, your brain.
- Harvard : I, a Daily Multivitamin, - The Nutrition.
- Harvard : multivitamins, you.
