Pros and cons of taking multivitamin supplements
Many people use so-called Multivitaminpräparateto offset the effects of an unhealthy diet. The internist Dr. Raul Seballos and the nutritionist Anna Taylor from the Cleveland Clinic (USA) explain the benefits of multivitamins and which people should avoid taking them.
Multivitamins for malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies
When people under Malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies suffer, it can be useful to take multivitamin supplements, but this should first be done in a medical interview to be clarified, emphasizes Dr. Seballos in a current press release.
Multivitamins for vegan or vegetarian diets
Also for people who have a low calorie diet comply or on avoid certain foodstaking a multivitamin could make sense, says the doctor.
In addition, people who are due to illnesses (e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease) or gastric bypass surgery should attend impaired nutrient absorption suffer, according to Dr. Seballos clarify in a medical consultation whether taking a multivitamin is advisable for them.
Do You Really Need Multivitamins?
The doctor recommends that all other people first ask themselves whether they are really doing everything they can before taking multivitamin preparations to optimize overall healthbefore resorting to a multivitamin and/or dietary supplement.
„A wise lifestyle is the best guarantee of your future health‘ the expert points out.
What are multivitamins?
A multivitamin contains a combination of several vitamins and minerals. The products are available in the form of capsules, tablets, gummy bears, powder or as a liquid.
There are a variety of multivitamin preparations, some of which differ greatly in their composition. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine which product is optimal to take.
First of all, it makes sense that before you buy the labels of the products observed. For example, there are multivitamin preparations that have been designed for a specific age or gender or are particularly suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Take multivitamin supplements with food
If you have decided to take a multivitamin, you should along with food be taken, whereby the nutrients contained are best absorbed.
Depending on your health, you should try to limit or increase your intake of certain ingredients in multivitamins, Taylor says.
What is typically found in multivitamin supplements?
According to the nutritionist, multivitamin supplements typically contain the following ingredients:
- Calcium,
- folic acid,
- Eisen,
- Magnesium,
- Vitamin B 12,
- Vitamin D,
- Zink.
How do multivitamin supplements affect health?
However, even among experts, there are different opinions about the effectiveness of multivitamins. On the one hand, there is the idea that they are quite capable of supplying missing nutrients. On the other hand, others are of the opinion that multivitamin supplements should be evaluated as an expensive product that is not really effective.
An independent group of professionals in primary care and prevention, the so-called U.S. Preventive Services Task Forcereported for example in one Statement on the subject of multivitamins that it insufficient evidence for a benefit of vitamin and mineral supplements for the prevention of cancer or cardiovascular disease are.
Thus, multivitamins also cannot reduce the risk of the most common forms of male-onset Krebs reduce, such as prostate, colon and lung cancer. Multivitamins also do not reduce the risk of developing a to die from cancer.
No cognitive benefits from multivitamins in old age
Taking multivitamins is recommended for men and people who at least 65 years are old, too no cognitive benefits connected. Experts cite one as an example Studyin which the cognitive functions of almost 6,000 male physicians over the age of 65 were examined.
The results of this study show that memory loss and cognitive performance occurred to a similar extent whether men were taking a multivitamin or not.
No positive effects on life expectancy
Positive effects on life expectancy are also not to be expected from multivitamins. In women and people classified as female at birth (AFAB), according to a Study taking multivitamins even increases the risk of premature death.
The experts at the Cleveland Clinic name another investigationwhich found that certain dietary supplements (eg, multivitamins, folic acid, iron, and copper) may be associated with an increased risk of a premature death are connected.
Are Multivitamins Safe to Take?
Usually, for most people, taking multivitamins does not pose a problem from a health standpoint. However, there are some risks associated with taking it for certain people.
Calcium preparations can, for example, reduce the risk of developing a heart attack raise. From a medical point of view, it is therefore often recommended that people at high risk of heart diseases get their calcium from their diet and not from supplements.
smoking people or people who have smoked in the past should not take multivitamins high in Beta Carotene and Vitamin A consume because these ingredients Lungenkrebsriskio can increase, the experts continue.
During the pregnancy In addition, special attention should be paid to the amount of vitamin A consumed, because high doses of vitamin A are associated with an increased risk of developing birth defects can be connected.
Drug interactions?
At best, multivitamin supplements should not interact with other medications. However, the experts at the Cleveland Clinic advise against taking medicinesthose who reduce blood clottingto be especially careful with multivitamin supplements containing vitamin K.
In general, when taking dietary supplements, the family doctor should be informed about all the vitamins and dietary supplements taken, according to Dr. Seballos.
„It’s important to tell your doctor what you’re taking to avoid possible interactions with your prescribed medications. In addition, exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep and a good work-life balance trump any vitamins that you can take to optimize your personal health‘ he emphasizes Ceballos. (as)
Taking multivitamins is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle such as exercise and a balanced diet. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic: Do Multivitamins Work? Who Should and Shouldn’t Take Them (veröffentlicht 30.08.2022), Cleveland Clinic
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Vitamin, Mineral, and Multivitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: Preventive Medication (veröffentlicht 21.05.2022), U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- American College of Cardiology: The Physicians’ Health Study II – PHS II (veröffentlicht 05.11.2022), American College of Cardiology
- Jaakko Mursu, Kim Robien, Lisa J. Harnack, Kyong Park, David R. Jacobs: Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women; in: JAMA Internal Medicine (veröffentlicht 10.10.2011), JAMA Internal Medicine
- Bimal H. Ashar, Tasha N. Rice, Stephen D. Sisson: Physicians’ Understanding of the Regulation of Dietary Supplements; in: JAMA (veröffentlocht 14.05.2007), JAMA
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.