Do You Really Need A Daily Multivitamin?
When we were children, our mothers made us take multivitamins (probably shaped like cartoon characters). Luckily, they were chewable and tasty. Today, society continues to push vitamins on us, even as adults.
From the products you find at your local drugstore like Centrum to trendy, new multivitamins like Ritual, it’s easy to feel like multivitamins are just another product being pushed on us women. But do we really need to take one every day? Is this supplement absolutely necessary?
I spoke with three experts - a medical doctor (MD), a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD), and a registered dietician (RD) - to find out.
Multivitamins Counteract Poor Diets
According to the famed doctor and television personality Dr. Sheila Nazarian, you need a multivitamin if you aren’t getting adequate nutrition from your diet. She notes that it’s pretty common for most people to fit into that category, so she suggests all her patients take one. She specifically recommends Nutrafol Core For Women.
You need a multivitamin if you aren’t getting adequate nutrition from your diet.
In addition to a multivitamin, Dr. Nazarian recommends taking a hair and lifestyle formula supplement such as Lumity Beauty & Wellness. She shares that she has personally taken this product for years. “It is my favorite lifestyle vitamin to help me stay clear and focused during the day and rested at night.”
Multivitamins Provide Micronutrients
While Dr. Nazarian says most of us fall into the category of needing a multivitamin, Dr. April Segal, PharmD, BCPS, who is the founder of Remedy Pharmacy in San Diego, recommends exploring what you eat before making a decision. "Whether or not you need a multivitamin mostly depends on your diet,” she says.
If you eat any type of restrictive diet such as keto, vegan, etc. she definitely recommends you take one. “But, if you eat a very varied diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, then you probably don't need one.”
Still, if you aren’t sure, Dr. Segal recommends airing on the side of caution. “At the same time, there is no harm in taking a daily vitamin as an insurance policy to make sure you are getting all the micronutrients you need. If you don’t feel that you are in your optimal state of health, it’s a great place to start!” she says.
A Multivitamin Covers Your Bases
According to Love Wellness advisor Kylene Bodgen, RD, we should all be taking a multivitamin. “A multivitamin can be incredibly beneficial for human health,” she says.
There is no harm in taking a daily vitamin as an insurance policy to make sure you are getting all the micronutrients you need.
It ensures we are getting good nutrition when we need it, no matter what life throws at us. “While the goal should always be to eat whole foods first, there are so many aspects of life that we cannot completely control. Everything from stress, to intense workouts, crazy travel schedules, and even the quality of our soil cannot be completely controlled. As a result, a high quality, well-rounded multivitamin can fill in the loopholes, if you will, and provide the reassurance that we need.”
Closing Thoughts
Even if we focus on our health and diet, taking a multivitamin ensures we are getting all of the proper nutrients. In other words, it can’t hurt.