Multivitamins
A multivitamin is a preparation intended to supplement a human diet with vitamins, dietary minerals, and other nutritional elements. Such preparations are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pastilles, powders, liquids, and injectable formulations. Other than injectable formulations, which are only available and administered under medical supervision, multivitamins are recognized by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (the United Nations' authority on food standards) as a category of food. Multivitamin supplements are commonly provided in combination with dietary minerals. A multivitamin/mineral supplement is defined in the United States as a supplement containing 3 or more vitamins and minerals that does not include herbs, hormones, or drugs, where each vitamin and mineral is included at a dose below the tolerable upper level, as determined by the Food and Drug Board, and does not present a risk of adverse health effects. The terms multivitamin and multimineral are often used interchangeably. There is no scientific definition for either.
Vitamins are substances that your body needs to function normally. They are natural substances required by the body to grow and develop. Vitamins are contained in food and it is said that a well-balanced diet provides all of the vitamins required. However, there are times, like during pregnancy and childhood, during illness, your body needs more vitamins than usual. It is here multivitamins play a vital role. They are recommended for patients who need extra vitamins, who are not healthy, who cannot eat enough food to obtain the required vitamins etc. Multivitamins represent the preparations which supplement the diet with vitamins, dietary minerals and other nutritional elements.
Multivitamins can be called the substitute for a normal human diet which includes vitamins, dietary minerals and other nutritional compounds. They usually contain 3 or more minerals and vitamins, in appropriate proportions.
There is no specific age prescribed for taking multivitamins, but care can be taken to see what the requirements are of people in different age groups.
Teenagers
Honestly there is no need of multivitamins at this age. Nevertheless if your diet is imperfect, then make sure you are not taking more than the 100% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for any particular specific vitamin. Always remember that healthy food habits are much better than vitamin supplements. Multivitamins can never match the goodness of natural foods that have high nutritive value. Teenage girls need more of iron and vitamin A and C for healthy skin whereas boys need more of Vitamin D for muscle building.
If, for some reason the food consumed by this age group lacks the required amount of Vitamins and minerals then, supplements are necessary to ensure their health and fitness.
Young Women
This group needs sufficient amount of iron in order to remain healthy. At this important age, when there is a possibility of pregnancy they also need adequate amounts of folate, calcium, magnesium (for the bones), vitamin A, C and D. If it has been found that a young woman is deficient in any of these nutrients, it is advisable that she consumes the right supplements based on the physician’s advice.
Men
Iron supplements are redundant for men who consume non vegetarian diets. Men who eat vegetarian food may have to take iron supplements to remain healthy. However, it is important to remember that excess of iron in the system tends to cause oxidative damage to tissues. Supplements like coenzyme Q10 are effective in maintaining cardiac health.
Middle aged women
Vitamins (A, B, C and D), proteins, inorganic salts (zinc, selenium, copper and other trace elements) and fats are some of the substances needed at this age. All these supplements prescribed by a qualified physician, ensure that normal physiological functions continue unhindered and the woman remains fit and healthy.
Middle aged men
Men in their forties especially need fiber and lots of Omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. Beta-carotene, vitamin C, resveratrol, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin are some of the nutrients usually found in vegetables and fruits and are needed by the body at this age. If the nutrients are not available in the man’s diet, supplements can be taken to ensure good health.
Seniors Vitamins B, C, and D are needed to maintain mental strength, memory and concentration. Calcium and magnesium are needed for stronger bones. Vitamin B12, a crucial nutrient to maintain cardiovascular health, should also be administered as supplements to seniors if found inadequate .
Taking the multivitamin tablets that can provide for the complex requirements of every age group ensures good health, only if consumed in the right quantity. Taking too many supplements that give you more than the required quantity of nutrients can create a lot of harm, affecting your health adversely. Remember that nutritious and balanced meals, taken at the right time in the right quantity, can provide all the good health without dependency on multivitamins. Supplement your meals with multivitamins only when absolutely necessary.
Multivitamins are supplements that made up of several nutrients. Eating nutritionally balanced meals can provide all the nutrition for a person. However, at times when the body fails to absorb nutrients from a diet, then supplements are recommended. Different multivitamin supplements are necessary for different age groups based on their life style. Care should be taken to see that you do not take more than the supplements required for you to remain healthy. This will lead to a variety of adverse side effects.