Multivitamins are dietary supplements that contain a combination of vitamins, which are organic substances in plants and animals that our bodies depend on. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in an April 2012 study, the majority of Americans get enough vitamins every day in their diets. However, there are plenty of people who can benefit from a multivitamins. It's important to talk to your doctor first, but here are people who might really need to take a vitamin supplement to support their daily diet:
- Adults who are 50 or older could benefit from a multivitamin that contains vitamins B-12 and D, especially if they don't eat enough B-12-foritified foods. It's common for older adults to be deficient in B-12 for various reasons, and they often can't absorb as much vitamin D as their bodies need.
- People who have several food allergies, are lactose intolerant or are limiting foods from their diets for other reasons will often need a multivitamin.
- Strict vegetarians with limited diets should consider a multivitamin, especially because it can be difficult to get vitamins D and B-12 from vegetarian meals.
- Doctors will often recommend a multivitamin for those with an acute or chronic medical condition who are unable to absorb adequate nutrients from their foods, such as going chemotherapy.
- Pregnant and lactating women will need to take a special prenatal multivitamin.
