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Multivitamins and minerals are basic components of a good nutritional program.

Health claims

Dietary surveys have consistently shown that we simply do not get enough of the basic elements in our diet despite having an overabundance of nutrient-rich foods available to us. Hence, supplementary vitamin and mineral preparations not only furnish some of the basic nutritional elements that help us complement a well-balanced dietary regimen, but also provide additional nutrient insurance for diabetics, seniors, children with middle ear infections, or people under stress, suffering from PMS, or cardiovascular disease.

What is It?

A broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral consists of a wide number of specific elements that typically include: vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, silicon, vanadium, and manganese.

What Evidence Supports Its Use?

Although the therapeutic benefits of individual vitamins and minerals have been well documented in medical literature, what occurs when nutrients are combined? Several recent trials suggest that regular intake of multivitamin and mineral supplements benefit our health. One recent study concluded that elderly participants with type II diabetes who took a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily for one year had significantly fewer infections compared to a placebo group. In addition to diabetics, children may also benefit from multivitamin and mineral use as a way to prevent middle ear infections.

Apart from preventing infections, the B-vitamins, found in multivitamin and mineral preparations, also help decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack by further lowering blood levels of homocysteine in adults already consuming a folate-rich diet. The use of multivitamins and minerals have, in addition to their cardiovascular and anti-infective benefits, shown to be of help in treating a wide number of other conditions including symptoms of stress, and PMS. Prior to pregnancy, the use of a multivitamin and mineral supplement containing folic acid is linked to a lower risk of developing neural tube and other types of structural birth defects in newborns.

Multivitamin and mineral supplements can be taken in either tablet or capsular forms at the recommended dose provided on the label. Menstruating women should take a supplement containing iron while men should choose a preparation that is iron free. In addition, consumers should look for a supplement that is free from additives such as artificial flavours, artificial colours, dairy, wheat, yeast, corn, and gluten. Moreover, multi’s should contain some vitamins and minerals that are bound to biologically active carriers. They should not be taken with tetracycline antibiotics or synthetic vitamin A prescription drugs. In addition, as multi’s typically contain vitamin A, supplementation of this vitamin should be less than 5,000 IU per day during pregnancy. Preparations containing iron may aggravate those with an active colitis or stomach ulcer. However, menstruating women tend to lose iron, and so taking a multi with an iron component may be useful for fighting fatigue related to iron deficiency.

The Bottom Line

Multivitamins and minerals are basic components of a good nutritional program and provide extra vitamin and mineral insurance for those who are at risk.

Ronald G. Reichert, ND, is a naturopathic physician practising in Vancouver. He lectures to professional and public audiences throughout North America on complementary and integrative medicine subjects. References available.

Source: alive #254, December 2003