There is a multitude of reports that debate the necessity of taking vitamins, but most health experts recommend that taking a daily multivitamin is essential in every age group. This is good news to vitamin manufacturers, as the numbers show that people are heeding this advice and supplementing their diets daily.
According to records, 68% of Americans take dietary supplements. As many as 84% of them believe in their quality and effectiveness in assisting with a healthy lifestyle. While the older population continues to have the highest number of users, there has been an increase in the number of users in the 18-34 age range, with 48% of them taking supplements on a daily basis.
It’s important for vitamin manufacturers to know that the most popular supplement taken by adults in the U.S. is the multivitamin. There are consistent reports that support the idea that taking a daily multivitamin can reduce the risk of certain diseases and lead to overall good health and wellbeing.
While most multivitamins are created with the same ingredients, it’s important to note that some are created with different amounts of certain vitamins and minerals, which can be important to specific groups.
• Women of childbearing age should take a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. This is the level required to prevent neural tube defects in the first month of pregnancy.
• Both men and post-menopausal women should look for iron-free multivitamins. When iron levels are too high, it can accumulate in the body and cause damage.
• Though most multivitamins contain enough vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium properly (400 IUs), people who are deficient in vitamin D should look for multivitamins that include a higher dosage.
• Those who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet should look for multivitamins with 10 micrograms or more of vitamin B12 for proper nerve and cell function; many non-animal foods don’t contain enough of this vitamin for natural intake.
Taking a multivitamin can have many benefits, but most important is its ability to bridge the gap that comes from an inconsistent diet. Not everyone has the time, or the ability, to make daily meals that include everything that the body needs to function properly. As long as vitamin manufacturers continue to make them, people will continue to take them.
