Who Should Take a Multivitamin Supplement?
Did you know that everyone should take extra vitamins from supplements? That’s because actually the vitamins and minerals you need can be met from consuming a variety of foods. However, there are people who need to take a multivitamin supplement.
List of people who need to take a multivitamin supplement
Multivitamin supplements are supplements that contain three or more types of vitamins and minerals. This supplement is usually needed for people who cannot meet the daily needs of vitamins and minerals from food.
If you experience one of the things below, maybe you are among those who need to take a multivitamin supplement.
1. People who often eat unhealthy foods
People with high mobility who do not have healthy eating habits tend to experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
People who do not like to eat vegetables and fruit are also more prone to experiencing vitamin and mineral deficiencies. To meet these nutritional needs, you may need to take a multivitamin supplement.
2. People with absorption disorders
People who are taking certain medications or have certain health conditions that can change how the body uses nutrients may need a multivitamin supplement.
Supplements help in meeting the required nutrients. We recommend that you consult with your doctor whether you experience deficiencies in certain nutrients and whether you need supplements to fulfill them.
3. Vegetarians
Vegetarians usually need to take a multivitamin supplement.
Vegetarian diets that do not eat foods of animal origin make them susceptible to deficiencies of several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, zinc, iron and calcium.
4. Elderly people
Elderly or people who are over 60 years old usually find it difficult to meet their vitamin and mineral needs for various reasons.
Some of the main vitamins and minerals that are usually needed by the elderly are vitamin D, several B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
5. People who limit their food intake or are on a diet
When on a weight loss diet, people tend to severely limit their food intake. In fact, the calories that enter his body may not be more than 1,200 calories when dieting.
This certainly makes the intake of vitamins and minerals deficient. If the nutritional needs are not met, it is not uncommon for people who go on extreme diets to get sick.
6. Smoker or heavy alcohol drinker
People in this group tend to have problems with their food intake. They often have a bad appetite. Thus, smokers or heavy alcohol drinkers are more prone to experiencing vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
If you fall into this group, you should consult your doctor whether you need to take a multivitamin supplement or not.
Why do they need to take a multivitamin supplement?
People with conditions like the above, sometimes need to take multivitamin supplements to meet their needs for vitamins and minerals, not to prevent or cure certain diseases.
Multivitamin supplements are here to help you to get your intake of vitamins and minerals into the recommended recommended numbers.
However, that does not mean that multivitamin supplements can replace foods that contain vitamins and minerals, so you don’t need to eat vegetables and fruit.
Even if you are already taking a multivitamin supplement, you still need to get vitamins and minerals from food. Try to eat vegetables and fruit every day.
Remember that any supplement cannot replace the natural goodness of food. As much as possible you should be able to apply a balanced nutrition, so that you are not dependent on supplements.
Usually, multivitamin supplements are safe for consumption if taken according to the rules of use. Generally, you only need 1 supplement per day. Do not exceed the dosage because excess vitamins and minerals from the supplement are not good for your body.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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Dietitians of Canada. (2013). Do I Need A Vitamin or Mineral Supplement?. [online] Available at: https://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Factsheets/Do-I-need-a-vitamin-or-mineral-supplement.aspx [Accessed 21 Mar. 2017].
Better Health. (2012). Vitamin and mineral supplements. [online] Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamin-and-mineral-supplements [Accessed 21 Mar. 2017].
