Do you believe that multi vitamins work?

[georgevan]

I have wondered that for a long time. It would be a waste of a lot of money over time if they didn't work because they are expensive.

 

[GotGarlic]

They only work if you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency. The only way to know if you do is to have your blood tested for specific vitamins and minerals. If you take more water-soluble vitamins (like vitamin C) than you need, it just makes expensive pee. If you take more fat-soluble vitamins than you need, they can accumulate in the body and cause problems.

I take a prescription multivitamin because I have nutrient absorption issues due to medical problems; they're covered by insurance, so they're not very expensive. Prescriptions are manufactured to strict specifications, so they contain what's on the label. Over-the-counter meds and vitamins/minerals are not regulated by the FDA and studies have shown that sometimes they don't contain what the label says.

Most people who are in general good health and eat a diet mostly based on less-processed foods get all the vitamins and minerals they need.

 

[georgevan]

They only work if you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency. The only way to know if you do is to have your blood tested for specific vitamins and minerals. If you take more water-soluble vitamins (like vitamin C) than you need, it just makes expensive pee. If you take more fat-soluble vitamins than you need, they can accumulate in the body and cause problems.

I take a prescription multivitamin because I have nutrient absorption issues due to medical problems; they're covered by insurance, so they're not very expensive. Prescriptions are manufactured to strict specifications, so they contain what's on the label. Over-the-counter meds and vitamins/minerals are not regulated by the FDA and studies have shown that sometimes they don't contain what the label says.

Most people who are in general good health and eat a diet mostly based on less-processed foods get all the vitamins and minerals they need.

Thanks. The only question is when people get older their body needs change.

 

[GotGarlic]

Thanks. The only question is when people get older their body needs change.

That's true, but that doesn't mean that you guess at what you need. Your doctor should do a complete blood panel (CBC, a basic blood test) to determine whether you need any supplements. If you do, I suggest getting a prescription for the reasons I described above.

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[blissful]

I believe they can cause more problems than they solve when taken in large amounts or multivitamins as insurance on nutrition instead of eating nutritiously.
There are a few audio files and videos on using supplements.
https://nutritionfacts.org/audio/what-about-vitamin-supplements/


I take B12, D3, and iodine.
B12 because I don't eat meat. D3 because I live further north and don't get enough sun. Iodine (not too much not too little) because I don't eat seafood or fish, or seaweed (or milk).