Do we really need vitamins if we eat whole foods?

granolagrl85

Generally - No

I didn't even take one while pregnant. *gasp*

fteale

I take a B6 and 12 supplement, omega 3 and Co Q10 every day. I try to get iron too.

I think the way most foods are farmed these days, intensively without fallow years for the soil, that even eating whole foods, you can end up vitamin deficient.

erixitl

Coming from a medical background, I'm going to say that I think most people DO need a multivitamin supplement. Unfortunately it is very hard for most of us to assure that we get a "balanced" diet on a consistent basis. Even if you are very knowledgeable and try hard at it, the content of the foods is quite variable depending on how it was farmed/processed. It doesn't do any harm to take one, so at worst you might be wasting a bit of money. However, for most people, you are covering deficits that you don't know about.

ironanimal

Perhaps not, but better safe than sorry. I take Wellman (a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement designed for men) as well as an additional Vitamin D supplement because of the lack of sunshine most of the year here. Multi-vitamins really don't cost very much and it's an investment in your own health.

spottedlee

If you live in northern states,, you NEED Vitamin D. This is something you can't really get by food, but by sun. I live in WA, as per doc recommadation, I take 2,000 IU a day, after being diagnonised of Vit D deciefity (not sure of spelling.)