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Debunking Myths About Multivitamin Supplements - Genetic Nutrition

Debunking Myths About Multivitamin Supplements

, by Sandesh Prasannakumar, 7 min reading time

Introduction

Ever since the health-conscious culture became popular, multivitamins have been considered a daily routine for many. On the same note, here are some of the myths and misconceptions that are still alive regarding multivitamin intake and the importance of taking multivitamin supplements in our regular diets. In this blog post, we will directly confront some of these myths and distinguish between reality and fake news. Well, you are reading this article to find out the bitter truth about your daily multivitamin requirements!

Myth #1: We Should All Take Our Multivitamins Every Day

Fact: The typical needs of daily multivitamins are essential for many people, but still, it is not required for everyone to take multivitamin supplements. Most of our body’s nutrient needs can be met through carefully consumed meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats. Nevertheless, for people, who are very selective in their food choices, elderly people or those with some health issues, it is advisable to take the daily multivitamin as it can easily compensate for the lack of essential nutrients and completely meet the multivitamin requirements daily.

Myth #2: Good Health and Multivitamins can Compensate for an Unhealthy Diet

Fact: Sadly, multivitamin supplements fail in their ability to compensate for a bad diet. Even though it offers a range of important vitamins and minerals, it does not contain all the nutrients that can be contained in natural products. The type of diet that is characterised by high amounts of processed foods and very low amounts of fruits, veggies, fibre and protein cannot be compensated just through multivitamin supplements. Intake of wholesome food should be pursued in order to obtain the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy life. There is no reason why one should spend his/her valuable time and money to over-purchase multivitamins as these vitamins do not and should not act as a substitute for a balanced diet.

Myth #3: More is Better When Taking Multivitamins

Fact: When it comes to the daily multivitamin requirements, the old cliche ‘the more, the merrier’ does not apply to multivitamin supplements. Supplements of vitamins and minerals in large doses can have negative impacts as illustrated below. The best thing is to take a regular multivitamin supplement without extra large doses of any nutrient to avoid overdosing on some vitamin or mineral. So, generally speaking, aim to get the day’s multivitamin needs from a normal diet and a regular multivitamin supplement instead of going overboard with supplements.

Myth #4: All Brands of Multivitamins are the Same

Fact: There is a lot of information out there which shows not all multivitamin brands in the market are of the same quality. When shopping around, focus on advertised brands that willingly undergo third-party testing and certification for their products by organisations like U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF International. Make sure that the formula is packed with 100% DV for the essential nutrients and avoid such high numbers for mega doses. Also, ensure the multivitamin you select is well-processed and free from toxins such as heavy metals. Considering these factors aids in selecting the high-quality multivitamin that will suit the daily multivitamin requirements.

How to Consume the Daily Recommended Multivitamin

Now that we’ve tackled some common myths, here are science-backed tips for making sure you meet your own daily multivitamin needs:

  1. Assess Your Diet: A nutrient shortfall should be assessed by considering your typical dietary plan and the recommended daily servings. Consumers with processed food diets are likely to have higher nutrient deficiencies as a result of the consumption of these foods.
  1. Understand Your Health Status: But some people, such as pregnant females, seniors, strictly vegetarian/vegan individuals & those coping with chronic ailments require a somewhat higher daily multivitamin intake.
  1. Read Labels Carefully: When making a comparison between the various multivitamin supplements that are available in the market today, see that they are packed with 100% Daily Value of important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, zinc and magnesium according to the daily multivitamin requirements.
  1. Look for Quality Seals: Look for a third-party certification like USP, ConsumerLab or NSF International seals to guarantee the quality and correctness of labels.
  1. Avoid Megadoses: Avoid multivitamin products that contain more than 100% DV for most of the compounds since they can be toxic if consumed in large amounts.
  1. Store Properly: Store your multivitamin in a cool, dry place where it is protected from heat and light sources to retain supplement efficacy.

Conclusion

However, it is important to note that more research must be done before such supplements can be recommended; however, existing literature suggests that multivitamin supplementation taken in the right manner can prove beneficial for individuals with certain dietary restrictions, malnutrition risks or certain health complications. All the advantages and disadvantages should be discussed and weighed with each person and healthcare provider individually. Do not be caught in these myths’ last traps by considering your dietary patterns and daily multivitamin requirements to see if a regular multivitamin can help you compensate for the deficiencies.

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FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about daily multivitamin needs:

1. Who needs a daily multivitamin supplement?

Individuals on low-calorie diets have low nutritional intake, pregnant or nursing mothers, elderly people, strict vegetarians or vegans and people with some diseases require more multivitamin intake which is best served from multivitamin supplements taken alongside other foods. Always consult your doctor.

2. Is it safe to consume multivitamin supplements every day?

In most cases, no –as long as the multivitamin is taken according to the manufacturer’s instructions as a source of daily multivitamin requirement, it is safe for healthy adults to consume. However, there are moments when one is restricted from taking multivitamin supplements because of certain medical conditions.

3. Are there any adverse effects that come with taking too many vitamins?

Taking large amounts of vitamins and minerals also results in toxicity symptoms that include, nausea, vomiting, hair loss or liver damage among others. This is why “megadoses” over 100% Daily Value should be avoided for regular use without consulting a doctor about the higher daily multivitamin requirements.

4. For your children or for you, do you really need vitamin supplements?

Individuals with a good healthy diet that includes a variety of whole foods probably get adequate amounts of all the essential vitamins and minerals. However, as it will be seen, many still fail to meet the mark in certain areas, which makes supplementation useful in meeting daily multivitamin requirements. It is the activities that make up the life of the individual that define what is right.

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