Multivitamins - For Or Against?

In recent years, the market has been flooded with various preparations combining more or less vitamins and minerals for all ages, genders or as a supplement to certain diets. Particular attention seems to have been paid to such means in connection with the change in diet and its transition to the so-called 'western type', high in fat and simple carbohydrates.

It is known that vitamins and minerals play an indispensable role in many physiological processes at a number of biochemical levels. The lack of one or another vitamin leads to metabolic disorders with different clinical manifestations, which requires prevention or treatment with replacement therapy. In such cases, certain elements are absolutely necessary, for example in osteoporosis, rickets, scurvy, beriberi, iron deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia, and many other diseases. The widespread use of multivitamin preparations has been imposed in connection with claims that they can strengthen the immune system, protect against colds, flu, that underlie the prophylaxis of chronic diseases, especially those related to the cardiovascular system, to slow the progressive changes after menopause or to reduce the risk of malignancies or neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Many of us accept them and thus feel calm, strengthened, stimulated. Of course, as with many other medications and any therapeutic approaches in general, the psychological component is not to be overlooked.

In which cases are supplements of vitamins and minerals necessary? Numerous clinical trials have shown that adherence to a healthy, complete diet in a healthy person provides the necessary nutrients for the day. What does a rational diet mean - one that includes enough fruits and fresh vegetables in the first place, but along with them, of course, a moderate amount of products of animal origin such as meat and dairy products, fish, nuts, legumes. Multivitamins and minerals are a necessity in the first place among adults. Their diet is often poorer in essential nutrients, their absorption is impaired, they are not exposed to enough sun, they do not move enough. A special place is occupied by calcium and vitamin D as prophylactic agents for senile osteoporosis. In pregnant women, the body's requirements increase in every aspect, but here you should rather rely on proper nutrition, and trace elements and vitamins should be taken only according to the recommendations of the doctor monitoring the pregnancy. Particular attention is paid to folic acid not only in the first months, but in general during the childbearing period of a woman's life in connection with the prevention of congenital neural tube defects.

Reducing overall caloric intake or selectively ignoring certain foods can also cause some metabolic damage. Therefore, among vegetarians and especially among vegans, it is believed that the additional intake of iron, magnesium, selenium, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12 are desirable. When energy intake is reduced below 1200 kcal per day, a deficiency of these and other key ingredients is also expected. The same is true for people who, for one reason or another, have malabsorption and maldigestion - in connection with genetic, inflammatory, autoimmune diseases, resections of the intestinal tract, liver or pancreatic insufficiency. Chronic alcohol abuse and even passionate smoking have also been linked to irrational eating. This can be said, as has already been said, and in the absence of sufficiently fresh products in the daily menu. For those who do not like them or do not have the opportunity to get them, it is also appropriate to get them with supplements of a suitable combination of trace elements and vitamins. If the above factors are not present - then there is no need to further strengthen the 'defense of the body'. Clinical observations worldwide show that taking into account features such as age, sex, physical activity, family history and others, multivitamin intake does not reduce the risk of malignancies of the breast, endometrium, ovaries, colon, lung, and this from myocardial infarction, stroke, increased blood clotting and does not reduce overall mortality. In addition, those who take micronutrients and others

Data have also been collected against these drugs. Many of these products are not subject to control and the dosages indicated on the label do not correspond to the actual content. In some products, the amount of vitamins or elements is above the recommended daily dose or there are elements that we do not need (such as lead), as has been reported in North America. Americans also questioned the role of folic acid and the risk of prostate cancer, as well as high doses of beta-carotene in smokers and the incidence of lung cancer.

Many studies are currently underway on the role of vitamins such as A, E, D, C, selenium and other trace elements as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent. The fight against free radicals has necessitated the use of antioxidants in degenerative diseases. Unfortunately, the opinions and results are not unambiguous here either.