Much research has been done on the health benefits of taking a daily multivitamin. Whilst it is true that a daily multivitamin is highly recommended should the person not be getting enough nutrients through their food intake, this may not ring true for the person who is following a healthy diet therefore providing all the nutrients. Having said this, however, many people don’t get all of their daily nutrients they need through their diet. This is due to the fact that many people don’t, for various reasons, follow an optimal food regime. A daily vitamin can therefore help bridge the gap; fill in the nutrition holes.
The Harvard University of Public Health is in agreement that there is enough evidence to suggest that taking a daily multivitamin has positive health benefits. They say that the potential health rewards far outweigh the potential risks.
A mineral that has caused havoc in the minds of nutritionists and nutrition researchers is folic acid. Fortified food is that which has been fortified with multi vitamins and minerals. One of the major factors of concern is folic acid. This nutrient has become central in the discussions of experts. This is because folic acid masks the symptoms of Vitamin B12. Whilst this is not of major concern to the general population, it is of relevance to those who either don’t absorb Vitamin B12 or are deficient in it as folic acid can conceal the signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency. The solution – cut back on processed and fortified foods and continue taking the multi.
In nature, our food comes with a host of vitamins and minerals in the one package as well as phytonutrients and antioxidant. These nutrients all work together doing their varying jobs within the body. This is the reason why it is best to get nutrients from the food we eat. As mentioned previously, however, our diets don’t always supply us with the foods that are rich in the necessary nutrients. Multivitamins and minerals cannot replace the foods we eat, but they can supplement them. As research continues, the general status quo, however, is that supplements act as an insurance policy for our health and nutrition.
