Who needs vitamin/mineral supplements?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:People who do not eat a variety of foods every day may need vitamin/mineral supplements to fill their nutritional gaps.
A daily multivitamin or vitamin and mineral supplement is helpful for those who:
- follow a special diet (e.g., a lactose-free, vegan, or vegetarian diet)
- have a specific condition for which a specific nutrient remedies the problem. For example, a doctor may prescribe iron supplements to a person with anemia or extra calcium to a woman with weak bones.
- have difficulty meeting a nutritional requirement through diet alone. For example, a calcium supplement is helpful for those who avoid dairy products such as milk.
- are at risk for a deficiency. For example, a doctor may prescribe vitamin D to an older person with dark skin who doesn't get enough of the sunshine vitamin.
- are pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) or breast-feeding. (Caution: Take only the multivitamin your doctor recommends.)
People who do not eat a variety of foods every day may need vitamin/mineral supplements to fill their nutritional gaps. A daily multivitamin or vitamin and mineral supplement is helpful for those who: follow a special diet (e.g., a... More -
Jeff Croswell answered:Well everyone needs a multivitamin. We just can't eat enough throughout the day to absorb 100% of our daily needs. By the time we eat our food it is already being broken down and we lose some of those nutrients in the process so a multivitamin is essential.Well everyone needs a multivitamin. We just can't eat enough throughout the day to absorb 100% of our daily needs. By the time we eat our food it is already being broken down and we lose some of those nutrients in the process so a... More -
Joan Salge Blake of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics answered:
Supplements are useful for people who cannot meet their nutrient needs through a regular, varied diet. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, among those who may benefit from taking a dietary supplement are:
- Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, as they need to consume adequate amounts of folic acid to prevent certain birth defects
- Pregnant and lactating women who can’t meet their nutrient needs with food
- Older individuals, who need adequate amounts of vitamin D and synthetic vitamin B12
- Individuals who do not drink enough milk and/or do not have adequate sun exposure to meet their vitamin D needs
- Individuals on low-calorie diets that limit the amount of vitamins and minerals they can consume through food
- Strict vegetarians, who have limited dietary options for vitamins B12 and D and other nutrients
- Individuals with food allergies or lactose intolerance that limit food choices
- Individuals who abuse alcohol, have a poor appetite, have medical conditions such as intestinal disorders, or are taking medications that may increase their need of certain vitamins
- Individuals who are food insecure and those who are eliminating food groups from their diet
- Infants who are breast-fed should receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily until they are consuming at least 1 quart of formula daily. Children age one and older should receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily if they consume less than one quart of milk per day. Adolescents who consume less than 400 IU of vitamin D daily from their diet would also benefit from a supplement.
Supplements are useful for people who cannot meet their nutrient needs through a regular, varied diet. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, among those who may benefit from taking a dietary supplement are: Women of childbearing age... More -
Dr. David Agus answered:Not everyone needs vitamins -- in fact, sometimes they can even be harmful. In this video, cancer specialist and Author Dr. David Agus discusses the groups of people who should consider a vitamin/mineral supplement.
Not everyone needs vitamins -- in fact, sometimes they can even be harmful. In this video, cancer specialist and Author Dr. David Agus discusses the groups of people who should consider a vitamin/mineral supplement. More
