Multivitamins vs. Individual Supplements

Millions of Americans take a daily multivitamin-- a collection of vitamins, minerals and nutrients-- for their health. While a multivitamin is better than nothing, it does not provide the optimum levels of vitamins and nutrients necessary for good health. For example, the amount of vitamin C recommended in the RDA's will prevent scurvy, a disease of 19th century British sailors. The amount of vitamin C that we need for substantial antioxidant protection is much higher than the low levels found in multivitamins.

As we age, we become more diverse in our needs for vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. This heterogeneity reflects differences in our genes, environments, and health habits as well as chronological vs. biological (i.e., functional) age. For these reasons, a multivitamin cannot meet the needs of everyone. If you get plenty of sunlight or drink lots of milk, you probably don't need a vitamin D supplement. The best way to use supplements is to be selective and take only the ones that you need in the amounts that are necessary for optimal health.

Visit the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health for more information.