Multivitamin Supplements: For or Against?

August 6, 2010

What are multivitamin supplements?

Multivitamin supplements are preparations which include essential vitamins and minerals in one only capsule. They have been created for covering the nutritional needs that most people have due to a busy lifestyle where there is usually no time for consuming a healthy meal.

Multivitamins are a convenient way of being sure that your organism does not suffer vitamins and minerals deficiency, something dangerous for a good development.

Some benefits are backed up by scientific studies

Previous researches about multivitamins have suggested that they help preventing cataracts [*1] and colon cancer [*2]. They also promote cognition [*3] [*4], fertility [*5] and the immune system response [*6].

Multivitamins improve mental abilities

Most researches about multivitamins only include people older than 55. Nevertheless, a new study carried out by researchers from the University of Northumbria with a group of people from 30 to 55 years old, found out that the consumption of multivitamin supplements is highly beneficial for mental health [*7].

In this study, 215 men consumed either a multivitamin supplement or a placebo during 33 days. These men had their mood, stress and mental health tested before and after the research period.

Before the research, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. However, after 33 days, the multivitamin group showed improvements in mental abilities and well-being. This included less stress, more energy and better mood.

Plus, the reason ability also increased. This was shown through a test where volunteers had to count backwards with breaks of 3 or 7 seconds. The multivitamin group obtained better results.

Do not overdose

A multivitamin can help you to improve your abilities in case you are not taking the minimum daily dietary allowances of vitamins and minerals recommended by nutritionists. Nevertheless, you must only use them if you are not able to follow a convenient diet -which is quite probable, especially if you practice some kind of sport.

Multivitamin supplements Prozis:

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REFERENCES OR NOTES:
[*1] – Kuzniarz, M. et. al., Use of vitamin supplements and cataract: the Blue Mountains Eye Study, American Journal of Ophthalmology 132(1):19-26, July 2001 (LINK)
[*2] – Jacobs, E. et. al., Multivitamin Use and Colorectal Cancer Incidence in a US Cohort: Does Timing Matter?, American Journal of Epidemiology 158:621-628, 2003 (LINK),
[*3] – Chandra, R., Effect of vitamin and trace-element supplementation on cognitive function in elderly subjects, Nutrition 17(9):709-12, September 2001 (LINK)
[*4] – Benton, D. & Fordy, J. & Haller, J., The impact of long-term vitamin supplementation on cognitive functioning, Psychopharmacology 117(3):298-305, February 1995 (LINK)
[*5] – Czeizel, A. & Métneki, J. & Dudás, I., The effect of preconceptional multivitamin supplementation on fertility, International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research 66(1):55-8, 1996 (LINK)
[*6] – Pike, J. & Chandra, R., Effect of vitamin and trace element supplementation on immune indices in healthy elderly, International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research 65(2):117-21, 1995 (LINK)
[*7]Hot air? Scientific study suggests multivitamin can add sparkle, Northumbria University, June 2010 (LINK)




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