Do Multivitamins Improve Health?

I don't take a multi-vitamin, but I do take vitamins for certain things I feel I can benefit from. But, I really don't see where it would hurt. I would use the gummy vitamins, if I did take one. Because I have heard that your stomach will digest the regular pill form multi-vitamin before it is broken down and used for all its benefits. Which is really a waste.

A bigger issue is the form of the nutrient used (most multi's go for the cheapest form rather than the most bioavailable), and the amount.

Tis true, which is one of the reasons they are so cheap.

I also take it because often to get the doses of a lot of macronutrients requires larger quantifies of food and increases caloric intake because those nutrients are attached to proteins, carbs, or fats in our food.

Most of the micronutrients you need are found most abundantly in low calorie fruits and veggies.

Now, for folks eating 1,100 calories a day, I could see how this would present a problem...

When people use "most", "abundantly" , and other vague terms for quantities, I tend to not believe them. I would like to see a breakdown of how many calories it would take to fill a common mulivitamin such as http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/men.html.

All I really needed to do was to double up on my spinach and broccoli and add some tomatoes, but it depends on what you're starting with.

for a very large number of people that would be extremely difficult to accomplish if not impossible on a regular basis

I also take it because often to get the doses of a lot of macronutrients requires larger quantifies of food and increases caloric intake because those nutrients are attached to proteins, carbs, or fats in our food.

Most of the micronutrients you need are found most abundantly in low calorie fruits and veggies.

Now, for folks eating 1,100 calories a day, I could see how this would present a problem...

When people use "most", "abundantly" , and other vague terms for quantities, I tend to not believe them. I would like to see a breakdown of how many calories it would take to fill a common mulivitamin such as http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/men.html.

You're going to have to do the research for yourself. As I said, I fixed my diet by going to nutritiondata.com and seeing where I was short. All I really needed to do was to double up on my spinach and broccoli and add some tomatoes, but it depends on what you're starting with.

Also, the amount of a nutrient that's in a certain multi doesn't make it the right amount.

Your last sentence is true; however, what makes you think the information provided to you by the website your keep stating is providing you with the right amount? I had a look and it doesn't look any different than other websites I researched while seeking what may work best for me.

However, I circle back to your initial question: Do multivitamins improve health? It seems as though you are strictly defining "health" by numbers of micronutrients you intake and making sure they meet the "100%" or other value incidated by your website. Some of us measure 'health' differently such as how how my body feels, how well it responds to infection, how well it fends off infection/disease, blood pressure, etc. Not just numbers on a website.

The website I listed uses the RDA

I originally defined "health outcomes" as "mortality," which is why I brought up the study. Meeting the RDA for micronutrients through food is, I think, a more reasonable alternative to broad-based supplementation.

If you want to offer information as to multivitamins improving immune function, blood pressure, or anything else, I'm all ears.
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Well, the Harvard School of Public Health seems to disagree with you.

"Read enough nutrition news, and you’ll see that not all scientists agree on multivitamins. Some say that there’s not enough proof that multivitamins boost health, so they don’t recommend them. It’s a short-sighted point of view. Other scientists point to studies that seem to show a link between multivitamin use and increased risk of death. But those studies are flawed. Looking at all the evidence, the potential health benefits of taking a standard daily multivitamin seem to outweigh the potential risks for most people."

As for the information regarding multivitamins and the other benefits you list, I do not have the time to do that research for you, but I encourage you to do that on your own to gain that information base. Good day to you sir and good luck to you on your healthy endeavors.

I've started taking a multivitamin chewable with iron and ever since I have - I can give blood again where for the last year of dieting I have been unsuccessful in my many attempts to get my iron up.

Now, in the last four months I have given twice and the only thing I have changed is that multivitamin.

Women are frequently deficient in iron. But, why not just take the iron separately?

A lot of women have difficulty taking a pure iron supplement because it makes them nauseous, constipated, etc. and having it mixed in a multi makes it easier on the stomach while reaping the benefits.

Multivitamins can interfere with some prescription medications as well, so if you are taking one and on a prescription med, make sure your doctor knows.

For pregnancy, a lot of women struggle to even eat during the first trimester (sometimes "morning sickness" is all day long for months) so getting the necessary folic acid and iron for proper fetal development is a real challenge. Prenatal vitamins are very useful during this time. This would be a special case, obviously, but proves the point that something like multivitamins do have a purpose and do improve health at least in particular circumstances.

Generally speaking, I agree with Rock and others though. It's best to get your nutrition via diet if possible.

I suspect that the doctor is relying on theory that hasn't been substantiated in the literature. The theory that you can cover your nutritional backside with the daily shotgun approach sounds nice, but, again, there's no evidence that it actually improves your health, at least in terms of extending life expectancy.

I don't think most people are interested enough in their own health to do the research, even with all the tools we have available. My problem is that we're telling people that taking a multivitamin is a reasonable alternative, which isn't quite true.

A fair point, definitely some food for thought. Thanks.

If forums are anything to go by many US citizens are obsessed with 'vitamins' (one of the most misused words out there). Here in the UK there is far less emphasis on this, neither the medical profession nor the media push micronutrient supplements for all. Are Americans healthier or have a better nutrition status than Brits as a result of all this pill popping?

I don't know if it's the same in the US as here the UK (note that I work in lifestyle healthcare with the general public) but few here even know what all our official healthy eating guidelines are despite them being freely available online, fewer still adhere to them they seem to be seen as some sort of holy grail not minimums/ maximums. It really is not that difficult to eat healthily, people bang on about vitamin D being 'necessary' to supplement yet ONE ounce of some oily fish contains the full days intake. We are fooling and cheating nobody but ourselves.