People often wonder if they should take a multivitamin daily to fill in the gaps of nutrients they might be missing in their diet. Among U.S. adults aged 20 and over, 57.6% used a dietary supplement in the past 30 days. Use was higher among women (63.8%) than men (50.8%).
In 2023, Americans spent more than $45 billion on dietary supplements, about a quarter of the more than $177 billion spent globally. I heard some medical providers say that people who take supplements often have “very expensive urine.” In general, it was thought it might be helpful and not harmful. But most people don’t need supplements, and you could better spend the money on nutrient-rich foods.
A new study published in JAMA found that people who take multivitamins generally do not live longer. Minerals such as copper and iron found in many multivitamins might harm some people as they accumulate in the body.
When you take a multivitamin, you take several vitamins and minerals without knowing whether your body is deficient in that nutrient. The set nutrients in a multivitamin may inhibit the absorption of other nutrients. Of course, there are exceptions to this, and if your physician recommends a multivitamin, certainly follow their guidance.
You might not get every vitamin and mineral in the right amount for your body on any day, but by eating various healthy plant foods every week, you should get everything you need. If you are concerned about a deficiency, ask your healthcare provider about it. They may check your levels so that you supplement responsibly.
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