How Can Multivitamins Benefit You?

Whilst a 'balanced' diet will supply all the necessary nutrients we need, our busy lifestyles can mean that people do not receive all the nutrients required in the right quantities every day to maintain good health. Nutritionists from the Health Promotion Board₁ recommend eating at least two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables daily. This is often difficult to achieve.

There are many groups of people who may benefit from additional vitamins:

Infants and children
Adolescents
The elderly
Women of child-bearing age
Those individuals with limited exposure to sunlight, as they may be at risk from a lack of vitamin D
Individuals who are following a slimming diet
Food faddists
People with busy lifestyles who find it difficult to eat a balanced diet every day
Athletes in training

For pregnant or breastfeeding women, please consult your healthcare professionals before consuming any supplements.

How Multivitamins can benefit you
Multivitamin and other mineral supplements can act as “insurance” against the risks of chronic diseases. For people who desire to be healthy but are unable to have a daily well-balanced diet, daily intake of multivitamin can both fill in the nutritional gaps as well as enhance the current intake of nutrients. The table below states which vitamins and minerals can benefit certain conditions:

	Benefit
Vitamin E	Antioxidant. Boosts the immune system. Helps form normal red blood cells, muscle and tissue.
Vitamin B6	Helps maintain the immune system. Together with Folic Acid and B12, this may help to promote good heart health.
Vitamin D	Assists in the absorption of calcium to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Also helps to increase muscle strength, reducing the risks of falling, especially for the elderly.
Folic Acid	Promotes good heart health.
Selenium	An antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage.
Vitamin A	Antioxidant. Improve vision. Promotes strong gums, teeth, bones and hair.
Beta-Carotene	Converted by the body to Vitamin A. Acts as an antioxidant.
Vitamin C	Helps in the growth and repair of tissues in skin, ligaments and bone.
Calcium	Helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
Iron	Important for wound healing. Strengthens immune system.
Magnesium	Regulates heartbeat. Strengthens joints and connective tissues.
Iodine	Helps in regulating the body’s metabolism rate.
Chromium	Assists the body in metabolism of sugar.