Many people choose to take multivitamins to keep their body's nutritional needs met. Not only adequate nutrition, multivitamins are also good for increasing endurance and preventing various diseases.
Multivitamins are one of the most widely consumed types of supplements. Because of the variety of vitamin and mineral content in it, multivitamins are believed to be useful for improving body health, balancing unhealthy eating patterns, and even preventing disease.
Multivitamins can be found in various forms, ranging from tablets, pills, capsules, jellies, powders, to syrups.
Claim the Benefits of Multivitamins
The main benefit of multivitamins is to meet the body's daily nutritional intake that is not sufficient from the daily diet, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, fiber, and potassium.
In addition, there are also several claims of the benefits of multivitamins for other body health, namely:
1. Prevent heart disease
Multivitamins are said to be useful for reducing the risk of heart disease. This is supported by research showing that taking multivitamins regularly for 3 years can reduce the risk of death from heart disease.
However, several other studies have shown different results. The study states that taking multivitamins does not reduce a person's risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
2. Prevent cancer
Several studies have shown that taking multivitamins in the long term can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer or colon cancer.
On the other hand, several different studies have shown that there is no link between multivitamins and cancer. Conversely, excessive consumption of several types of multivitamins can actually increase the risk of developing cancer.
3. Maintain brain health
Regular consumption of multivitamins is also associated with improved memory in the elderly. In fact, several studies have also shown the potential benefits of multivitamins for improving mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders.
However, more research is needed to confirm the claims of the benefits of multivitamins with improving memory and mood.
4. Maintain eye health
A study says that multivitamins containing antioxidants can slow the development of eye diseases in the elderly, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. However, the claims of the benefits of multivitamins for maintaining eye health still need to be investigated further.
Things to Pay Attention to Before Taking Multivitamins
Although it is claimed to be useful for maintaining health and being able to prevent disease, actually taking multivitamins is not always needed. Especially if you have adopted a healthy lifestyle and do not have certain medical conditions.
Multivitamins can indeed provide significant benefits for some people. An example is the consumption of multivitamins by people who are prone to nutritional deficiencies or nutritional deficiencies, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and people with food malabsorption.
The following are some conditions that you can use as a benchmark for taking a multivitamin:
- Entering old age and needing more nutritional intake to maintain a healthy body
- Taking certain drugs that cause nutritional deficiencies, such as diuretic drugs that can reduce calcium and potassium levels in the body
- Suffering from diseases that prevent the body from absorbing nutrients optimally, such as celiac disease and ulcerative colitis
- Undergoing a medical procedure that causes a change in diet, resulting in reduced nutrient absorption, such as bariatric surgery
- Have a very bad appetite so you can't eat enough food according to your body's needs
- Experiencing a condition that makes the body need more nutrients, such as pregnancy
You do need a multivitamin if you have any of the above medical conditions. However, you are still advised to consult with your doctor before deciding to take any type of multivitamin.
This is important because excessive consumption of multivitamins can actually cause health problems and one of them is the disruption of nutrient absorption in the body.
In addition, keep in mind that the consumption of multivitamins cannot replace the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, you should first apply a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and avoiding stress, before taking a multivitamin.
If you still have questions about the benefits of multivitamins or a diet that suits your needs and health conditions, don't hesitate to consult your doctor for the right advice.