The case for multivitamins is a long-fought one. As children, we indulge in multivitamin gummies because they help us grow stronger. By the time we’re teenagers, multivitamins are essential for our development. Move into your 30s, and multivitamins are a must if you want to get pregnant. Don’t even get me started about multivitamins after your 50s, that’s a whole other level of necessity. But, are multivitamins worth it? Don’t claims say otherwise?
What Can Multivitamins Do for Women?
Despite popular belief, multivitamins won’t turn you into a superwoman. However, women are deficient in many vitamins and minerals. When our diets are high in processed foods, we’re depriving our bodies of the adequate amount of vitamins and minerals it needs. What multivitamins do is work as a safety net to fill in the gaps left by our poor diet.
Who Benefits from Multivitamins?
People with a poor-quality diet, are the first ones to benefit from taking a multivitamin. However, even people with a healthy diet, but a restrictive one, such as vegetarians and vegans, might need a supplement to meet the adequate levels of vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and zinc since these come from animal-based products. Additionally, people with digestive issues, such as Crohn’s disease, can also benefit.
For women, three groups can benefit the most from taking multivitamins due to the changes happening biologically.
- Pregnant women or those looking to become pregnant
- Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
- Vegans and vegetarians
Are Multivitamins Safe?
Most people believe multivitamins are unnecessary or that they promote fake benefits. So far, studies have looked at how multivitamins impact heart health, diabetes, and other conditions. Not precisely what multivitamins promise in the first place.
Most dietary supplements are safe, especially if a doctor recommends them. But, keep in mind that multivitamins are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like other medicines are. However, multivitamins manufacturers still have to report adverse side effects. Plus, the FDA will remove unsafe products that have misleading claims, or contain harmful ingredients.
To stay safe, you should always consult with your doctor before incorporating any multivitamin to your wellness regimen. Even if you’re looking into over-the-counter multivitamins or supplements, consult with your doctor first.