Supplementing with vitamins for the body is one of the effective ways to get good health. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the dosage of vitamin supplements, especially for multivitamins, also known as multivitamins, to avoid side effects caused by excess vitamins.
1. Things you may not know about vitamins and multivitamins
1.1 What are vitamins and multivitamins?
Vitamins have been known to mankind since 1905, generally understood as organic substances necessary in small quantities to participate in biochemical and metabolic activities of the body. The human body can hardly synthesize vitamins on its own, but must be brought in from the outside from the food we eat every day.
Meanwhile, a multivitamin is a combination of many different vitamins and is often considered for use when the body cannot absorb vitamins through the diet or is in the period of illness, pregnancy, nutrition. poor, digestive disorders. If you use it correctly, multivitamins have a remarkable effect in replenishing nutrients for the body.
1.2 What is the difference between synthetic vitamins and natural vitamins?
In fact, multivitamins have almost identical chemical composition to the vitamins found in the foods we eat every day. However, the way the body absorbs multivitamins is very different from the absorption of natural vitamins, creating different reactions of the body.
Specifically, when you eat food, you will absorb many nutrients from that food, including vitamins, minerals and enzymes, helping the body to use them optimally. Without these additional compounds, multivitamins would not be as absorbed as natural vitamins. Therefore, the use and dosage of multivitamins need to be consulted by the doctor to ensure the best absorption by the body.
2. Who should take multivitamins?
For the average person, the vitamin supplement is mainly from the foods that we eat every day. With only a scientific menu, you can absorb enough vitamins necessary for the body’s vital activities. However, for those who are often deficient in vitamins and can hardly get vitamins through food, the use of multivitamins is essential.
The elderly: This is a group of people who tend to be deficient in vitamin D and need more vitamin B12 and calcium for good bone and joint health.
Vegetarians: Vegetarians regularly eat only vegetables and plant-based foods. Therefore, the body is likely to be deficient in some vitamins and minerals found only in animals such as vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, iron and vitamin D. Therefore, the use of multivitamins. It is what nutrition experts recommend for vegetarians.
– Pregnant and lactating women: For pregnant and nursing mothers, it is essential to increase the intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals to ensure adequate nutrients for both mother and baby. .
Women of childbearing age: These are the people who are often advised to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of neural tube defects if they plan to become pregnant. However, it should be used in appropriate doses and should be consulted with a doctor.
People with nutritional deficiencies: This is a special group of people who need to use multivitamins so that the body can get rid of nutritional deficiencies as well as limit the risk of other dangerous diseases. .
3. Dosage and notes when using multivitamins
3.1 For children
Children need to be supplemented with vitamins to ensure good and comprehensive development in the first years of life. Therefore, parents should note the following points when children need to be supplemented with multivitamins:
– Do not choose sugary products to avoid obesity and diseases related to heart disease, diabetes
– Prioritize products that do not contain preservatives to protect the baby’s immature digestive system.
– Should choose a liquid multivitamin because multivitamins in capsule or gummy form will cause children to choke easily when used, especially for children under 3 years old.
3.2 For pregnant and lactating women
Pregnant women should learn and use multivitamins before pregnancy to ensure a healthy body, especially folic acid supplements. In addition, the use of multivitamins should be maintained throughout pregnancy and lactation.
In addition, pregnant women should also give priority to choosing multivitamins with all the necessary minerals instead of supplementing each type of tablet according to test results for nutrient deficiencies.
3.3 For the elderly
Vitamins are an indispensable group of nutrients for the body, but should only be absorbed in a sufficient amount, not in excess to avoid overloading the body. For the elderly, the use of multivitamins too much can make the absorption “inert”, from which no matter how many vitamins you take, it will no longer work. In addition, only vitamins should be used in accordance with the needs of use to bring the best effect.
The use of multivitamins is essential to ensure a healthy body. However, you need to consult with your doctor to use the right dosage to get the best results.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
