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The recent report of a large-scale, long-term study of women taking multivitamins, which found that the pills didn’t protect against cancer, heart disease, strokes or death of any kind, has some people wondering whether it’s worth it to take vitamins at all.

My first response to the study was, “I don’t take vitamins because I think I won’t get cancer.” But then I wondered: why do I take vitamins? I guess I’ve always thought that they help keep me healthy in some way, though I think of it more as a way to ensure I’m getting all the healthy necessities right now rather than as something that will guarantee me good health down the road.

Some people actually need supplements

While it might not be true, as the vitamin manufacturers would have you believe, that everyone could benefit from taking a multivitamin, there are some circumstances in which supplementation is vital, Dr. James Hubbard argues.

Pregnancy, for instance. There are no doubt people out there who may become pregnant who aren’t getting enough folic acid, and taking a multi is a great insurance policy against the birth defects that can cause as well as giving moms-to-be one less thing to worry about, because at least their nutritional bases are covered somewhat even when all they’re able to eat is crackers.

People with anemia need iron supplements, and they’re usually a good idea from menstruating women as well. Most people could probably benefit from a vitamin D supplement, Hubbard says, and people who don’t get a lot of calcium from the foods they eat should supplement for that as well.

Vitamins aren’t the perfect solution

People with these particular health issues or other deficiency problems should of course take any vitamins or minerals suggested by their doctor. But that doesn’t mean everyone in the world should be taking vitamins, or that vitamins give you a pass on healthy eating.

Of course it’s much better if you can get all the vitamins and minerals (not to mention all the other great stuff in a plant-based diet that’s not available in pill form) you need from the food you eat, but the vast majority of people probably aren’t doing that. If you’re already eating a healthy diet, aren’t planning to become pregnant and don’t have any other health issues, you probably won’t see any benefit from taking vitamins.

But for the many more people who don’t eat so well, I (who am in no way a doctor) think there’s still an argument to be made for supplements to give you some assurance that you’re getting the nutrients you need, even on days when you eat no dairy or never touch a piece of fruit. And that’s why I’m still taking my vitamins.

(By Sarah E. White for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 20th, 2009 and is filed under Nutrition. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. Permalink.