Vitamins are naturally occurring substances necessary for many processes in the body. They are found in the foods we eat. By supplementing the diet with additional vitamins and minerals, Multivitamins can be a valuable tool for those with dietary imbalances or different nutritional needs. People with dietary imbalances may include those on restrictive diets and those who can't or won't eat a nutritious diet. Pregnant women and elderly adults have different nutritional needs from other adults, and a multivitamin may be indicated by their physician. Multivitamins are combinations of vitamins in tablets, capsules, liquids, and injections. They are used to treat vitamin shortages in the body that may occur because of illness, pregnancy, poor nutrition, decreased absorption of foods through the stomach, and many other circumstances.
Multivitamin supplements are specifically designed to provide a variety of both essential and/or non-essential nutrients for the body. The primary purpose of these supplements is to allow individuals the option of taking only one or a few dietary supplements that provides many nutrients to the body. Multivitamin supplements can help to prevent both vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and are used by many to increase essential nutrients in the body to achieve additional health benefits. Nutrients that should be included in what we consider a complete multivitamin include Vitamin A, Vitamin B-complex including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and/or niacinamide, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, and biotin. Similarly, other variable levels of Calcium, Zinc, Iodine, Selenium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Copper, Chromium, etc may be added with the formulation, depending on the type of multivitamin.
It is advised not to take more of a multivitamin than is prescribed for you or is directed on the package. Large doses of multivitamins can be dangerous. Most commonly, symptoms of a multivitamin overdose include nausea and vomiting. Stop taking multivitamins and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, face, or hives).
References:
Drugs.Com. http://www.drugs.com/mtm/multivitamin.html
Nutrasanus. http://www.nutrasanus.com/multivitamin.html
Medline Plus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682882.html
