Should we be taking a multivitamin each day for good health?

[dsvd]

Should we be taking a multivitamin each day for good health?

[Sqad]

No.

[boxtops]

Well, I do, to supplement (as they say) "the deficiencies in my diet".

[Quassia]

Depends how good your diet is really. It's a lazy alternative, sommetimes needed though .. faddy kids / bad diet.

[Quassia]

'sometimes'

[237SJ]

Ideally we would get all the nutrients from our diet but if we don`t, I don`t see why we shouldn`t take a tablet to make up the shortfall.

[erin-x]

About a two years ago I noticed that my hair would come out in clumps and it started to get really thin. My doctor advised me to take a zinc supplement. I chose one with a multivitamin and have taken it ever since as I noticed improvements with energy levels as well (think that was to do with the iron).

[Sqad]

In a healthy individual he/she will get all the required vitamins in their diet and do not need supplements.
In certain long chronic illnesses and absorption syndromes added vitamins may be required,

The are no properly conducted scientific trials to show that vitamin supplements in the healthy have no beneficial effect whosoever.

Can vitamin supplements be harmful?...one study has shown that the incidence of cancer is higher in the vitamin supplement takers.

It is you money and if you want to pay the inflated prices for vitamin supplements, then go ahead....it's your money.

[237SJ]

I agree vitamin supplements can be harmful. I use Centrum which have 100% of many nutrients so if I was eating a diet high in vitamin A (for example) and taking the tablets, I could be harming myself. However, I take the tablets maybe once or twice a week because when I am working I struggle to get the nutrients I need. I don`t think there is a problem with that. You have to use them carefully and according to your lifestyle.