Ask the Doctors: Should I Take a Multivitamin?

By Dr. Andrew Myers • March 14, 2014 • Your Questions Answered

I eat a relatively healthy diet. Do I need to take a multivitamin?
There are three supplements I recommend to almost everyone, including healthy eaters: a multivitamin, Omega-3s and vitamin D. I take these every day, and chances are they are a good option for you, too. I’ll focus specifically on the multivitamin, since that’s what you asked about; you can also read other articles I’ve written on vitamin D and Omega-3s.
Some people believe that if they’re eating a healthy diet, they’re getting all of the nutrients their bodies need to function optimally. There are two reasons they are likely wrong:
1. Most people aren’t getting as many nutrients as they think they are.
The USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov website recommends that half of your plate consists of fruits and vegetables for every meal and that you eat vegetables from five different subgroups each week. The site also suggests that a person should eat 8 ounces of cooked seafood weekly, meat choices should be lean or low-fat, half of all grains eaten should be whole grains, and dairy should be fat-free or low-fat.
I invite you to track your food and see if you’re following all of that advice. If you are, great! But it’s more likely that you’re not always getting as balanced of a diet as you should—and, if you’re like most Americans, there are times when you reach for foods that are relatively low in nutrients. Do you eat fast food? Does the jelly you put on your morning toast have added sugar? Do you ever reach for crackers or a cookie instead of a whole-food snack like a banana? You’re probably starting to get the idea: Most people actually aren’t getting the amount of nutrients they need for their bodies to function optimally.
2. Our stressful lifestyles increase our nutritional needs.
From demanding jobs to hectic after-school schedules, ours is a culture that values busy. But busyness is taking a toll on our bodies and increasing nutritional needs. And if you’re getting more than 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, you need more nutrients than the recommended amount. Even if you’re eating a great diet, you likely need to be getting more protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy than the recommended amount to make up for the extra nutritional needs caused by lifestyle.
The bottom line: Why not optimize your nutrition by eating well and taking good-quality supplements that give your body nutrients to work with? Adding a multivitamin to a good diet makes the body work even more efficiently.