Multivitamins and multiminerals
Both the research and the experts are conflicted when it comes to multivitamins and the benefits that they bring to people. After all, they are indeed good for a certain percentage of the population, but for some, they are not seen as something that will guarantee the health and immunity they say they will bring about.
For example, multivitamins that also have folic acid are prescribed to pregnant women in order to prevent the baby from having birth defects, and they are considered good vitamins to take for both the health of the mother and the baby. However, in healthy adults that are also mindful of their diet and try to keep active while getting enough sleep, research has shown that the supplements they took did little to nothing to help them in terms of their health.
If anything, a study has shown that women who take multivitamins have an increased risk of early death. The supplement was also shown to not prevent cardiovascular health or common cancers. On the other end, research has also found that people who take mineral supplements and multivitamins prevent themselves from having micronutrient deficits that could end in a slew of health problems.
There are people who need to take multivitamins due to a disease called malabsorption syndrome, which prevents the body from assimilating them from the diet. Yet, in otherwise healthy adults, they are not a replacement for a healthy diet, just an aid if you find that you need to take them.
The National Institutes of Health warns former and current smokers to avoid taking multivitamins and supplements that have a high dose of beta-carotene or vitamin A, as these nutrients can boost their chances of developing lung cancer when consumed as a daily supplement.
