Multivitamins
According to Joshua Duvauchelle from Livestrong, multivitamins are supplements that come in tablet, capsule or pill form and provide you with an array of vital vitamins and minerals. You should consult your doctor before taking multivitamins. (1)
The best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need is by eating a healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruit, and lean-unprocessed meats.
Vitamins and mineral intake can be affected by
- How food is stored
- Regularly eating fast food
- Preparation and cooking
- Intensive farming methods
- Food processing
You may need more vitamins and minerals if you are
- Exercising a lot
- Experiencing physical and emotional stress
- Pregnant
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Recovering from illness
- Avoiding certain foods due to intolerances or personal preferences
- Restricting calorie intake to lose weight
Multivitamin and mineral supplements are a convenient way to combat and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Most people use all-in-one supplements that they only need to take once a day because they contain a combination of the essential vitamins and minerals. Different brands can differ in quality, range and strength because people have different requirements.
Types of multivitamins
Some multivitamins contain 100% of the RDA in a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
They act as a safety net for individuals who need extra minerals and vitamins to avoid deficiency.
Other multivitamins provide a higher level of nutrients, more than the RDA but still safe to consume. They can be useful for individuals who need extra support. For example, individuals that have a busy lifestyle and skip meals, experience stress or exercise regularly. Rhodiola Rosea may also benefit stressed individuals by alleviating anxiety.
Multivitamins work well with
Essential fatty acids, omega 3, 6 and 9s sources like
Vitamin deficiency anaemia is when you have less red blood cells than average. It is caused by lower than standard amounts of specific vitamins and minerals. Vitamins linked to anaemia include folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin C.
Vitamin deficiencies usually develop slowly over months or years. The symptoms may be subtle at first, but they increase over time. (2)
Signs of deficiency of minerals and vitamins
- Tiredness and feeling exhausted
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Irregular heartbeat
- Weight loss
- Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in mood or personality
- Lack of balance
- Cognitive difficulties like poor memory
Some things to consider
Speak to your doctor before taking supplements, including multivitamins.
The long-term use of multivitamins may be harmful to your health. Multivitamins and vitamins A, D and E supplements are especially risky. (3)
Resources
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/241939-benefits-of-taking-a-multivitamin/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355025
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241405/
