Multivitamins - what it is , benefits, harms and conclusion

Multivitamins have been in news lately with each new discovery the course of these supplements shifts towards the unexpected.

With over one-third of U.S. citizens and alarmingly high number of people consuming multivitamins each year multivitamins have been in news, not only for the U.S. but also for the whole world. These Multivitamins have become an integral part of our daily lives without many of us realizing it. The question is "what exactly is a multivitamin ?", " Is it good for me, if yes, how much?".

Question 1 : What are Multivitamins ?

These are the supplements that contain many vitamins along with various minerals. Their nutrient constitution can vary from one to another.

They are available in different forms such as liquid, capsules,
powder multivitamin, chewables and in a lot more and in most of the stores that provide materials for daily needs.

Question 2 : What is it made up of?

It can be of anything and many things from the vitamin and mineral family. In total, there are 13 vitamins and around 16 minerals that our body needs. 

A particular multivitamin can have any type of blend of this 29 things along with optional herbs, fatty acids and amino acid.

They can be created naturally from food of similar contents or synthetically in a laboratory.

Question 3 : Are Multivitamins good for me ?

It mostly depends on what your needs are.

  case 1 :

Seems a bit costly, right ?

     To someone with vitamin deficiencies these can be extremely helpful as not all people can eat their way to needed vitamins. So, for them multivitamins is a better , easier and at times, cheaper option.

  case 2:

      A woman going through pregnancy. A lady going through the 9 months time can eat only so much but on the other hand the giving life to one more body within another body requires tremendous amounts of nutrition. The best option that one would have is to take multivitamins.

 case 3 :

      Someone who seeks perfect growth and development. Even if not perfect, proper growth is what we all seek but not all nutrients are available all the time due to religious, regional or seasonal statements that one or the nature might follow.

 case 4 :

      Maintaining bone strength. Multivitamins have all the necessary nutrient that a body must take in to have great bone strength.

 case 5 :

      Someone seeking to improve their memory and brain functions. Multivitamins have proved to be great for both memory and mood along with alertness and enhanced feeling of well-being.

 case 6 :

      Someone looking for nutrients good for eye. It has been proven that multivitamins are great to cure or avoid age-related eye health retardation. Cataract symptoms can also be overcome with it.

Question 4 : Is there any way Multivitamins can be bad for me?

  1. It can make you more reliant on multivitamins than the real food. Which is surely not good for anyone.

  2. It can cause vitamin toxicity. Most of the times, people don't know what are contents of multivitamins they intake and might end up taking something more than required this could end up badly as even the excess of something can prove injurious and in some cases fatal.

There are two types there are 2 types of multivitamins:-

    i ) water-soluble : Most of these are excreted through our water outlets such as urine and sweat.

    ii) fat-soluble : These are the ones that do not get dissolved in water but with fats instead. So, if your whole fat is burned is not burned and this multivitamin is not fully utilized it might end up collecting too much of it of course causing harm beyond anyone's desire.

Questions 5 : Conclusion - Should I take it or not ?

Though this list has some most recommended ones enlisted but in some cases there may be exceptions.

  i) The elder ones : The ability to absorb vitamin B12 usually decreases with age. Also an elder person might need more of calcium and iron.

 

  ii) Vegans and Vegetarians : Since vitamin B12 is found mostly in animal foods. Also , animal products are the main source of calcium, zinc, iron, vitmain D and omega 3-fatty acid. So it is better to look for these nutrients as well.

 iii) Pregnant and breastfeeding Women : Pregnant and breastfeeding women should talk to their doctor about this. Some nutrients are needed, while others (like vitamin A) can cause birth defects in large amounts.

It can be also not be ignored that the real reason that we look all this up is to remain or attain satisfaction which has it's roots in happiness. So, it is better in my personal opinion to not fret much about the food you eat and mire about laughter you breathe.

Though this all is very important and looks alluring to you one cannot forget that the main part of life cycle is food and only it can fulfill our need for a proper balanced diet and whatever loopholes might remain is where these multivitamins should lend a hand to keep oneself fit and fine.

GOOD LUCK!!