Are Vitamins Vital?

Us Brits spend around £500million every year on multivitamins and dietary supplements, but are we actually getting our money’s worth?

In the early 20th century when vitamins were fi rst discovered and their role in preventing illnesses such as scurvy and rickets began to be understood, it was deemed a revelation in healthcare. Back then, diets were nutritionally insuffi cient enough to cause serious health problems, and even death. Yet now, in 2023, we have access to an abundance of fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat, making such diseases an anomaly in the western world. However, a 2018 Food Standards Agency report found that about half of UK adults took food supplements on a regular basis, suggesting a belief at least that these special pills can either prevent and cure illness, or both. And of course, such magical thinking is understandable given the information we are fed via the media.

It’s always worth bearing in mind that a well-balanced diet ought to have you covered in any case. Not only that, but vitamins and minerals in their natural state are easier absorbed by your body. The question is then, does your diet have you covered? Well, as long as you aren’t excluding one of the main food groups, then yes. However, if you are following a vegetarian or vegan plantbased diet, taking a multivitamin that contains vitamin B12, iodine and choline, along with vitamin D, could be benefi cial. Similarly, those averse to oily fi sh should consider an omega 3 supplement. Women who are pregnant or intend on becoming pregnant are advised to take a 400-microgram supplement of folic acid, daily, as research shows that this reduces the risk of neural tube defects in babies. Calcium is also vital to those breastfeeding, so any new mums who are lactose intolerant ought to seek it by other means.

Ageing can also have a detrimental effect on your body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals; for example, as we get older our stomachs struggle to produce hydrochloric acid – vital for the absorption of vitamin B12 – so those over the age of 50 are advised to take a B12 supplement. In conclusion, supplements tend to benefi t those whose diets are lacking. That said, you might just want to take a multivitamin for peace of mind; after all, the only negative effect it can really have is to your wallet!

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