In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is a Multivitamin and Is It Good for You?4 Signs You Might Need a MultivitaminFAQs
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is a Multivitamin and Is It Good for You?
4 Signs You Might Need a Multivitamin
FAQs
“Multivitamins can be useful for people who have difficulty eating a balanced diet, have nutritional needs higher than what they can eat or have difficulty absorbing nutrients,” saysKelsey Kunik, RDN, nutrition advisor forZenmaster Wellness.
But how do you know when you need to take a multivitamin? Are they safe to take daily? What are the signs of nutrient deficiencies? Here, we dive into the science behind multivitamins and MVMs, plus five sneaky signs you might need to take them.
4 Supplements You Should Actually Be Taking, According to a Dietitian
Multivitamins and MVMs are dietary supplements that help people satisfy their body’s requirements for vitamins, minerals and micronutrients vital for good health. “Multivitamins are meant to be taken regularly to correct any nutrient deficiencies or to help ensure you’re getting all the micronutrients your body needs,” explains registered dietitianBrittany Lubeck, M.S, RD. “Typically, they’re taken orally as a gummy, capsule, tablet, chewable or powder.” Essentially, taking a multivitamin serves as a nutritional insurance policy.
However, the dietary supplements industry is largely unregulated in the U.S., since theFood and Drug Administrationisn’t legally required to approve dietary supplements for safety before consumption. That meansthere are no standards for what’s insideyour multivitamin. Fortunately, many brands seek voluntary approval through independent agencies like USP and NSF International. “With a seal from these and other independent agencies, you know that the supplement contains what it claims,” says Lubeck.
Nutrient deficiencies can be tough to spot. But these are some under-the-radar clues that may suggest you need a multivitamin.
You May Have Poor Nail Health
You May Have Impaired Night Vision
Night blindness and cloudy vision are potential signs of a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in your vision, allowing you to view the full spectrum of light, reports theAmerican Academy of Opthalmology. Without adequate vitamin A, your eyes cannot produce the pigments required for proper retinal function, leading to night blindness and impaired vision. Additionally, vitamin A isessential for helping your eyesproduce enough moisture to keep them lubricated and healthy. Vitamin A deficiency in the United States is rare; however, according to theNIH, children and adults with gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel disease, and those with cystic fibrosis or pancreatic insufficiency may be at risk for inadequacy.
You May Have Cracked Corners Around Your Mouth
You May Bruise Easily
Have you noticed you bruise easily and that the bruises take a long time to heal? If so, you may lack vitamins C and K, says theNIH. Vitamin C deficiency can cause weak blood vessels due to insufficient collagen production, resulting in easy bruising, perStatPearls. Vitamin K is essential for blood coagulation and clotting after injury. According to theMerck Manual, inadequate vitamin K levels can lead to easy bruising.
Getty Images
The Bottom Line
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of nutrient deficiencies is critical for knowing when to take a multivitamin. While these dietary supplements are generally safe and can help ensure adequate nutrition, they are not necessary for everyone. A daily multivitamin will offer little benefit if you eat a healthy, balanced diet centered around whole foods. Speak with your doctor or registered dietitian about taking dietary supplements if you have digestive issues, food allergies, a lack of appetite or are pregnant.
5 Supplements You Shouldn’t Be Taking, According to a Dietitian
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile it’s generallysafe to take a daily multivitaminto ensure nutritional adequacy, most people who eat a healthy, balanced diet don’t need them. Before starting any new supplement, “always check with your doctor, especially if you have nutrient deficiencies or any medical conditions that may affect how you absorb and store nutrients,” Kunik advises.If you’re healthy andeating a nutritious, well-balanced diet, don’t stress about taking a multivitamin. “Some people like to use multivitamins to help fill nutritional gaps in their diet. If you don’t have any nutrient deficiencies, then whether you take a multivitamin is a personal choice,” says Lubeck.Depending on your needs, you may need to take individual supplements instead of a multivitamin. Individual supplements often supply more of a specific nutrient than in a multivitamin. For example, you may opt for avitamin D supplementduring the winter when there’s less sunlight. Another example is that many people following a vegan or vegetarian diet mayrequire vitamin B12supplementation, as it’s a nutrient most commonly found in animal products.The best way to know if your multivitamin works is to get bloodwork done to examine the levels of various vitamins and minerals in your body. “You should be able to tell if your multivitamin is working based on whether any physical signs of nutrient deficiencies have resolved,” says Lubeck. “If you continue to experience signs of a deficiency after using a multivitamin for some time, it may not work,” she says.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s generallysafe to take a daily multivitaminto ensure nutritional adequacy, most people who eat a healthy, balanced diet don’t need them. Before starting any new supplement, “always check with your doctor, especially if you have nutrient deficiencies or any medical conditions that may affect how you absorb and store nutrients,” Kunik advises.
If you’re healthy andeating a nutritious, well-balanced diet, don’t stress about taking a multivitamin. “Some people like to use multivitamins to help fill nutritional gaps in their diet. If you don’t have any nutrient deficiencies, then whether you take a multivitamin is a personal choice,” says Lubeck.
Depending on your needs, you may need to take individual supplements instead of a multivitamin. Individual supplements often supply more of a specific nutrient than in a multivitamin. For example, you may opt for avitamin D supplementduring the winter when there’s less sunlight. Another example is that many people following a vegan or vegetarian diet mayrequire vitamin B12supplementation, as it’s a nutrient most commonly found in animal products.
The best way to know if your multivitamin works is to get bloodwork done to examine the levels of various vitamins and minerals in your body. “You should be able to tell if your multivitamin is working based on whether any physical signs of nutrient deficiencies have resolved,” says Lubeck. “If you continue to experience signs of a deficiency after using a multivitamin for some time, it may not work,” she says.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
