Should You Take A Daily Multi Vitamin

Multivitamins are generally the most used supplements worldwide. Their popularity has amplified in the past few years. According to research, multivitamins can improve your health, reduce your risk of contracting chronic diseases, and compensate for poor dieting. You might be, however, wondering whether these supposed benefits are indeed actual. Well, this article focuses on the evidence-based scientific facts behind multivitamins.

Multivitamins are supplements that are rich in different minerals and vitamins. However, the nutrient compositions usually vary depending on the product and the brand type. You can get these multivitamins in supermarkets, online, and pharmacies, and they come in either liquid or tablet forms. You can take them twice or once a day, depending on the recommended dosage.

Most multivitamins contain at least fifteen minerals and twelve vitamins that are vital to your health. Some of them speed up enzymatic reactions in your body, while others function as structural elements and signaling molecules. Your body requires these nutrients for growth, regulation, and maintenance too.

Who should take multivitamins?

Most people believe that taking multivitamins daily is not necessary for them. They believe that all essential vitamins can be obtained naturally from fruits and vegetables. They also believe that vitamins and minerals such as vitamin c, iron, and calcium are needed in small quantities for your body to function correctly.

Well, it’s true. You don’t necessarily have to take multivitamins. You can get all these vitamins and minerals your body needs by consuming a balanced and healthy diet. However, some people are at a high risk of deficiency, and a daily multivitamin is recommended.

Pregnant women

If you are trying to conceive or pregnant, take a multivitamin supplement containing up to 400 micrograms of folic acid daily until you are three months pregnant. If there is a chance of you getting pregnant, it’s essential to start taking them immediately since they yield better results when taken before conceiving. Folic acid reduces the risk of defects in the neural tube, such as spina bifida.

People with less access to the sun

From around April to September, people can get the required vitamin D by consuming a balanced diet and through sunlight on their skin. However, during the winter and autumn periods, you solely get the vitamin from your diet since the body cannot make vitamin D from the sun since it’s not strong enough.

It’s difficult for most people to get vitamin D from food alone during this time. Therefore, you should consider taking multivitamins daily containing around ten micrograms of vitamin D during winter and autumn periods. People who are housebound or frail should also consider using vitamin D supplements.

Older people

Almost all the calcium present in your body is concentrated in your bones. With age, the calcium in your bones starts to reduce, which can increase the chances of you contracting osteomalacia, which is a weakening of the bones. To retain your healthy bones, it’s important to take multivitamin supplements that are rich in calcium daily. The vitamin B12 absorption rate also reduces with age. Check to make sure that your supplement contains both vitamin B12 and calcium contents in it.

Vegans and vegetarians

As we all know, vitamin B12 is only present in animal foods. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you are at a higher risk of experiencing vitamin B12 deficiency. You might also lack a considerable amount of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D if you follow a plant-based diet. It’s, therefore, essential to take a multivitamin supplement to correct these dietary defects.

What are the benefits of taking multivitamins daily?

Scientists have studied multivitamins over the past years, and they have been seen to have numerous health benefits.

Eye health

Macular degeneration resulting from old age has been classified as the chief cause of blindness all over the world. Study shows that, if you continuously take antioxidant minerals and vitamins, you may slow down its progression. However, multivitamins do no prevent this disease in the first place. You can also reduce the risk of contracting cataracts, which is another notorious eye disease by taking multivitamins daily.

Reduced anxiety and stress

The minerals and vitamins present in your daily multivitamins can reduce your anxiety and stress levels to a large extent. The body uses vitamin B to transform food into energy, produce stress hormones, and increase the nervous system’s functionality. Taking vitamin supplements daily can reload your body’s supply.

Increasing energy levels

When you don’t have enough vitamins in your body, your body has to work extensively hard to perform even the simplest tasks. This can cause fatigue and other health-based problems. Taking multivitamins daily and maintaining a healthy lifestyle ensures that you are fit and energetic at all times.

Boosts immunity

Vitamin C is a robust antioxidant and its generally well-known for boosting the immune system. Vitamins E and D strengthen the immune system too. By taking multivitamins daily, you can also reduce allergic reactions to different products, plants, and foods.

Improved memory

According to research, daily uptake of vitamin B can support short-term memory function. If you have a child, it’s essential to regularly have them take vitamin and mineral supplements to improve their memory. You can also take them daily before going to work or before going to bed to increase your ability to retain content.

Improved mood

Studying shows that taking multivitamins daily has a positive impact on your emotional well-being and personal mood. Having enough minerals and vitamins in your body improves the functioning of the brain cells responsible for your mood.

Daily multivitamin supplements play a significant role in increasing our wellness. They help in filling dietary gaps and lowers the risk of you contracting several diseases. Vitamin D and calcium improve bone health; folic acid reduces the risk of childbirth defects, while vitamin B boosts energy levels. However, creating a personalized multivitamin routine is also equally important if you want to achieve the desired results. You should take lots of fluid, exercise from time to time, and eat a balanced diet to increase your body health. It’s also vital to consult your doctor before purchasing any multivitamins on-counter to be sure of the right product and quantity to use since there are hundreds of brands in the market.