You may be wondering...should I be taking a daily multivitamin?
It may be a good idea for most healthy adults, since according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, Americans are falling short when it comes to meeting the daily requirements for some key nutrients (vitamin E, magnesium and folic acid, to name a few).
Experts also agree. In 2002, an article published in a well known medical journal suggests that healthy adults take vitamin supplements to promote overall health for the same reason: most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone (Journal of American Medical Association, 2002;287:3127-3129).
Of course it is always important to talk to your doctor or preferred health care provider about taking supplements, especially if you are currently on prescription medication.
A daily multivitamin is a good starting point and a foundation for a supplement regimen. So, with all the multivitamins on the market, how do you choose one that is right for you?
A multivitamin formulated for a man or woman in a specific age group can help meet daily nutritional requirements. Women have special nutritional needs throughout their life cycle. A multivitamin for women under the age of 50 provides adequate intakes of iron, folic acid and calcium, which are important nutrients for women of child-bearing age.
A daily multivitamin formulated for a mature woman or a man over age 50 helps meet changing nutritional needs. Iron needs decrease with age for both men and women, and supplemental iron is not recommended over age 50 (unless otherwise suggested by a physician).
For special populations such as pregnant women, a prenatal multivitamin supplement helps to ensure adequate intake of key nutrients such as iron and folic acid before and during pregnancy, as well as for breast-feeding mothers.
A daily multivitamin can help fill in any nutritional gaps that may exist in one's diet. Just like we have insurance for our cars, think of your daily multivitamin as your own nutritional "insurance" for good health!
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