Consider waiting until your child is 4 years old to start giving him a multivitamin supplement, unless your child's doctor suggests otherwise. It depends, since the need for supplements is not determined by age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, young children may not need to take multivitamins if they get the right amount of vitamin D and C from their diet and have regular checkups with a health care provider. It's important to prioritize nutritious foods rather than relying on multivitamins, especially in the presence of excessive consumption of fast food.
Children between 3 and 5 years old are usually interested in eating and eating one day and not the next. Many young children seem to be picky eaters. But they're likely to still get enough nutrients. Caregivers can try to give children a variety of nutritious foods so that each meal has healthy options.
And in some cases, such as cow's milk, foods and beverages are already fortified. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. UU. And 70% of adults over 71 take a vitamin; about a third of them use a comprehensive multivitamin pill.
But is this really a necessity? Certainly, there are diseases caused by a lack of specific nutrients in the diet. Classic examples include scurvy (due to lack of vitamin C), beriberi (vitamin B), pellagra (vitamin B), and rickets (vitamin D). However, these conditions are rare in the U.S.
And other developed countries where there is generally more access to a wide range of foods, some of which are fortified with vitamins
.Individual vitamin supplementation may also be essential in certain cases, such as a deficiency caused by prolonged poor nutrition or malabsorption caused by the malfunctioning of the body's digestive system. This page specifically describes the use of multivitamins, which generally contain around 26 different vitamins and minerals and often provide 100% of the recommended daily amount of these micronutrients. We'll explore situations where a multivitamin can promote health, as well as whether taking additional nutrients from a pill has a benefit or harm if the diet is already adequate. For those who eat a healthy diet, a multivitamin may have little or no benefit.
A diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good sources of protein, and healthy fats should provide most of the nutrients needed for good health. However, not everyone manages to eat a healthy diet. When it comes to specific vitamins and minerals, some Americans consume less than adequate amounts, according to criteria established by the National Academy of Medicine. For example, more than 90% of Americans get less than the estimated average requirement of vitamin D and vitamin E from food sources alone.
Multivitamins come in various forms (tablets, capsules, liquids, powders) and are packaged as a specific combination of nutrients (B complex, calcium with vitamin D) or as a complete multivitamin complex. Supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry, with endless designer brands to choose from. However, an expensive brand name isn't necessary, as even standard generic brands will deliver results. Look for one that contains the recommended daily amounts and that has the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) seal of approval on the label.
This seal ensures that the ingredients and amounts of that ingredient listed on the label are contained in the pill. USP also performs several tests that confirm that the pill does not contain contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides, and that it has been manufactured under sanitary and regulated conditions. That said, you might want to consider the following factors before you start taking a multivitamin or any vitamin supplement. Megadoses (often the recommended daily amount) of vitamins are not recommended.
This can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients or medications, or it can even become toxic if too much is taken over a long period of time. Finally, be wary of vitamin supplement labels that promise to “support brain health or energy production or skin and hair health.”. These are general statements about a vitamin that are included for marketing purposes only, but they are not specific to the supplement itself. Also, be wary of vitamins that contain extras, such as herbs and botanicals, which are often lacking in research on long-term effects and potential adverse effects.
Knowledge about the optimal intake of vitamins and minerals to prevent chronic diseases is not immovable. More long-term studies are needed to look at this relationship. There is no doubt that multivitamins are important when nutritional requirements are not met solely by diet. The debate is whether vitamins are necessary when the diet is adequate to prevent nutrient deficiency, as some research has shown that there are no benefits or even harmful effects when taking supplemental vitamins and minerals.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, more than 14,000 male doctors, some with a history of cancer, were given a multivitamin or a placebo. After 11 years, men who took an MVI had a significant 8% reduction in total cancers, compared to men who took a placebo. Results did not differ between men who had a history of cancer at the start of the study and men who were healthy at the start of the study. The Physicians' Health Study II, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, administered a multivitamin or a placebo to more than 14,000 male doctors, some of them with a history of cardiovascular disease.
After 11 years, compared to placebo, there was no significant effect of a daily MVI on cardiovascular events. It is important to remember that a multivitamin cannot in any way replace a healthy, balanced diet. The primary purpose of a multivitamin is to fill nutritional gaps and it provides just a sample of the wide range of nutrients and health chemicals found naturally in foods. It can't offer fiber or the taste and enjoyment of food, so important for an optimal diet.
However, multivitamins can play an important role when nutritional requirements are not met solely by diet. When this is the case, expensive branding isn't necessary, as even standard store brands will deliver results. The content on this website is for educational purposes and is not intended to provide personal medical advice. You should consult your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any product. Use healthy oils (such as olive and canola oil) in cooking, in salads, and at the table. The more vegetables and the greater the variety, the better.
Potatoes and chips don't count. Eat lots of fruits of all colors Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, sausages, and other processed meats. Eat a variety of whole grains (such as whole-grain bread, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice). Limit refined grains (such as white rice and white bread).
Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Create healthy, balanced meals using this visual guide as a model. Explore the downloadable guide with tips and strategies for healthy eating and living. Even if you're the healthiest person, you might want to consider adding specific vitamin and mineral supplements depending on your age.
People who don't have a balanced and varied diet with several daily servings of vegetables, foods, dairy products, and meats should consider taking multivitamins. As you know, multivitamins are a great way to add the extra vitamins and minerals you don't get from your diet. We all know that they are incredible, but many wonder when is the right time to start supplementing with multivitamins. Tun Min, a general practitioner, says that age is one of the most important factors in deciding whether or not to administer multivitamins, as well as which group of vitamins to administer and in what dose.
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