Multi Vitamin

Multi Vitamin

Isn’t our food supposed to provide us with all the vitamins that we need to help our body perform in the best possible way? Why do we need multivitamins then to supplement our diet? Are they a necessary evil or a really good way to ensure our body works in prime condition? Do they cause more harm than good? Can I start taking multi vitamin on my own? How will I know that I need a multi vitamin and do I need to consult a doctor and undergo tests before starting on one?

There are so many questions and let us try and find the answers to each one of them in a comprehensive and detailed manner.

Well our food does provide us with the nutrients and vitamins needed for survival but there are certain vitamins which are usually found in very less quantities in our food and these needs to be supplemented. Vitamin absorption from certain foods is limited and this also necessitates taking a multi vitamin.
Vitamins that are not found in adequate quantities in the foods we consume are vitamin B1 vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. All of these vitamins though required in very small quantities are necessary for important functions of the body and any sort of deficiency will create problems in the smooth functioning of the body.

Vitamin B and vitamin C are known as water soluble and are not stored by the body. You will need to replenish them on a daily basis. Deficiency in any of the vitamins can cause problems and it would be helpful if we know about the various vitamins and the symptoms that prompt us about the deficiencies.

Let us look at the vitamins individually and see what are the symptoms usually associated with it. Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness, frequent cold and skin disorders. Vitamin B which are also known as B complex vitamins comprise of B1 which is also known as thiamine, B2 which is riboflavin, B3 which is niacin, B6 which is pyridoxine, B9 which is folic acid, B12 and B5 which are pantothenic acid and deficiency in any one of them causes problems in the digestive system, eczema, anemia, dermatitis and skin disorders, Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy and lack of vitamin D leads to deformation of bones. Vitamin E has been found to cause fertility problems in men and miscarriages in women. If you find any symptoms mentioned above you will need to consult your physician who might recommend the adequate dose of multi vitamin to be taken to help treat the deficiency.

There are certain vitamins and minerals that are not found in adequate quantities among vegetarians. They would also need to supplement their diet with a multi vitamin dose daily so that inadequate quantities do not lead to any deficiency.

So all you need is to pop your daily dose of multi vitamin and live a healthy life.