As you walk through the store to buy your groceries, you may notice the vitamin section, which is filled with vitamins of all kinds. Some of the bottles are clear about what kind of supplement they are, be it vitamin D, iron, magnesium, and more. However, you may be confused as you enter the part of the aisle that’s full of multivitamins.
The labels say that each tablet contains many different kinds of vitamins, from A to biotin to even calcium. While the reasons why someone might choose to take a multivitamin over one of the more specialized ones may seem confusing at first, they aren’t as complex as they may seem.
In this article, we’ll cover what exactly multivitamins are, which vitamins they may contain, the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin for adults, and when it may not even be necessary to take them.
Defining Multivitamins
The most basic definition of multivitamins is that they are pills or tablets that contain many vitamins. You likely already knew this, but what you may not have known is the legal definition, which states that in order for a product to be labeled as a multivitamin, it must contain at least 100% of the daily value of many different vitamins for the targeted demographic.
So long as it has 100% of the daily value for the age range it’s targeting, such as children, adults, or seniors, it’s legally considered a multivitamin. Of course, what vitamins each one contains varies between brands and focuses, but we’ll cover the commonly included ones up ahead.
Examining What They Contain
Multivitamins are pretty common nowadays, with the main difference between each one being which vitamins they contain.
Some of the common minerals and vitamins you’ll find on the label are vitamin D, vitamin A, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Some multivitamins may contain more, while others may contain less. To know which vitamins each supplement contains, carefully read the label and check the “Supplement/Nutritional Facts” section.
There, you’ll find a table that not only lists which vitamins each tablet contains but also the serving size it’s based on, which usually relates to how many pills it recommends you take. It will also list a percentage of each, though what this means may be confusing, so let’s break it down a bit.
Each vitamin will be followed by two numbers: a large number labeled with mcg, or micrograms, and a percentage. Above the list of percentages will be a percent sign followed by the letters “DV,” which stands for “daily value.”
Essentially, each percentage listed is the amount in the serving size when compared to the recommended value for the specified age group. To make this simpler, let’s say a multivitamin contains 200%DV of vitamin D and that its target demographic is children between the ages of four and twelve.
This means that for each serving size, the child will be receiving 200% of the recommended daily value of vitamin D. The recommended amounts vary from age to age and even person to person, but we’ll cover this point more thoroughly later. For now, let’s discuss some of the key benefits of taking a multivitamin.
Considering the Key Benefits
There are many essential benefits to taking a multivitamin, though they range heavily depending on how well-balanced your overall diet is. If your diet isn’t as healthy as it could be or you have a vitamin deficiency of some kind, then you may experience the many benefits of a daily multivitamin better than others.
Depending on where you were lacking in your diet, you may begin to feel happier, less weak, and may even cramp less. If you notice the change is significant, consider visiting your doctor to discover which vitamin you need more of, and do some research to discover which foods contain it and which supplements can help you increase your intake of it.
There are still many benefits to taking a multivitamin, even when your diet is complete and well-balanced. Some minerals and vitamins are difficult to find or are difficult to actually benefit from when they’re in your food. For example, a common multivitamin contains some vitamin D. While this can be found in some foods like eggs and mushrooms, it’s most beneficial when absorbed directly from sunlight or through supplements.
Even then, there will be times when the sun isn’t out due to the season or weather. It has many benefits, from boosting your mood to promoting calcium absorption, and more so lacking it is something to be avoided. Many other vitamins and minerals are like this, so taking a multivitamin would likely still prove beneficial to you.
However, simply taking one without considering other health factors could have negative consequences. Let’s cover what you should consider as you decide whether or not to take a multivitamin.
Deciding Whether to Take One
Before you decide to take a multivitamin, you should talk with your doctor about it, especially if you already have a health condition or take any medication. While increasing your intake of vitamins is a good thing, there is such a thing as too much, especially when medications and age are involved.
For example, if you have a heart condition, the amount of calcium in a multivitamin could be too much and put you at risk for certain conditions. Furthermore, some vitamins, such as vitamin K, could even reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, which could also put you at greater risk of complications.
Before taking a multivitamin, the best thing to do is to schedule a doctor’s appointment and ask for tests that will show how much of each vitamin you have in your system. Once you know for sure what you need more of, try to add foods rich in those vitamins to your diet. Furthermore, consider certain multivitamins if those foods are unavailable or you can’t eat them due to taste, allergies, or any other number of reasons.
Are Multivitamins Right for You?
There are many benefits of taking multivitamins, but doing so without performing the correct amount of research could do more harm than good. Before taking a multivitamin, consult with your doctor, do your research, and read all labels carefully.
Also, make sure that the multivitamin you take is labeled for adults in your age range. We hope that all of this information helps you lead a happier and healthier life!
