From the Guidelines
Individuals who consume less than 1500 kcal per day should be recommended a daily multivitamin supplementation to meet their micronutrient needs. This is based on the recent expert recommendations for clinical practice published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity 1.
Key Considerations for Multivitamin Use
- A personalized assessment is necessary to identify vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, considering the individual's requirements and risks.
- Certain supplements like vitamin D, B12, and folate may be considered, especially for individuals with deficiencies.
- Multivitamin supplementation is particularly important for those struggling to meet their micronutrient needs through regular food intake alone, such as individuals consuming less than 1500 kcal per day.
General Guidance
- Always follow the specific dosage instructions on the product label, as formulations vary widely.
- Multivitamins are best taken with food to improve absorption and reduce stomach upset.
- Certain populations, including older adults, pregnant women, those with restricted diets, and individuals with specific medical conditions, may benefit more from multivitamins.
- It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before starting a multivitamin, especially if taking medications, to avoid potential interactions.
From the Research
Guidelines for Taking a Multivitamin
The guidelines for taking a multivitamin are based on several studies that have examined the effects of multivitamin/multimineral supplements (MVMS) on human health.
- MVMS can broadly improve micronutrient intakes when they contain at least the micronutrients that are consumed insufficiently or have limited bioavailability within a specified population 2.
- MVMS formulations may also be individualized according to age, sex, life cycle, and/or other selected characteristics 2.
- Long-term use of MVMS not exceeding the upper limit of recommended intakes has been determined to be safe in healthy adults 2.
- There is insufficient evidence to indicate that MVMS are effective for the primary prevention of chronic medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer 2, 3.
- However, for certain otherwise healthy subpopulations (e.g., pregnant women, older adults) and some individuals with existing medical conditions who experience inadequacies in micronutrient intake, addressing inadequacies by using MVMS can provide health benefits 2, 4, 5.
Benefits of Multivitamin Supplements
The benefits of multivitamin supplements include:
- Improving micronutrient intakes and biomarkers 4.
- Decreasing the prevalence of inadequacies and deficiencies in middle-aged and older adults 4.
- Improving nutrient biomarker status of folate, iodine, selenium, and vitamins B6, B12, and D 4.
- Reducing the odds of clinical deficiency of vitamins B6 and D 4.
- Improving vitamin C and zinc status in blood and self-reported health status in healthy older adults 6.
Precautions and Considerations
When taking a multivitamin supplement, it is essential to:
- Read labels carefully and consult with a healthcare provider to ensure appropriate dietary supplement use 5.
- Avoid exceeding the upper limit of recommended intakes 2.
- Be aware that some single-nutrient supplements have shown benefits for preventing or reducing risks for chronic diseases, while others may have adverse effects 5, 3.