Some questions about multivitamins answered

You can get addicted to a multivitamin?
No. Now have some vitamins at long-term use in high doses toxic causing more or less annoying side effects can occur, such as headache and nausea (at vitamin A and D) or failure of certain nerve functions (at Vitamin B6).

Multivitamins can deteriorate during storage?
Today, a ' use by ' date on the packaging of most vitamin supplements. If this is not expired and if you keep vitamin supplements properly (cool, dry and dark) Act quality losses not easy on. do not keep them in a medicine cabinet in the bathroom or in the fridge, because there they will absorb moisture. A cool dark place, such as a kitchen cabinet, is ideal.

Multivitamins are better than supplements where only one vitamin in it?
This depends. For some people is an advice for a supplement with only one vitamin. This is in addition to a healthy and varied diet. The advice applies to women who are pregnant or want to become (folic acid), women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (vitamin D), babies (vitamins D and K), children (vitamin D), the elderly (vitamin D) and smokers (vitamin C, but stop is obviously better). If these people are otherwise healthy and healthy and varied food, has a vitamin supplement with one preferred.

In addition, there are also groups that extra on their eating habits to look for because of a greater chance of a vitamin deficiency. This group will develop almost never short of one particular vitamin, but always multiple vitamins. It is preferable to modify the eating habits, but if this fails, then you can choose for a multivitamin. Groups on their eating habits need to watch out for are pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, (top) athletes, dieters, vegetarians, sick and elderly, teenagers, drug users.

Are multivitamins with many different substances better?
Not necessarily. Some supplements contain substances that are unnecessary or pointless and wrongly vitamins are mentioned. For the normal functioning of the body, these substances are not required in the diet, or they are made by the body itself. Supplements that contain laetriel ("vitamin B17") can even be dangerous because laetriel in the body is converted and the toxic cyanide is released.

In addition, are there in supplements also have a positive effect often substances which may, though that's not (always) scientifically demonstrated. They are, however, no vitamins, because they are not essential (i.e. that the body can create them yourself).


What other materials can be in a multivitamin?
Vitamin supplements are subject to the food supplements and ingredients must comply with the requirements in the commodities Act. Vitamin supplements contain vitamins, minerals and other bio-active substances (such as lutein,) also supplies, such as starch as thickener, stabilizer and milk sugar as sugar and dye as casing.
Multivitamins may contain more than the recommended daily allowance?
Yes. Only the amounts of vitamin A and D are connected to a maximum. This means that a vitamin supplement may not exceed 1200 mcg (150% of the recommended daily quantity) vitamin A and 25 micrograms (500% of the recommended daily quantity) vitamin D. The maximum for children is 15 mcg (300% of the recommended daily quantity). Starting from 1 August 2005 should vitamin supplements for children up to 1 year up to 650 mcg vitamin A. The other vitamins must not prevent a harmful quantity and the package leaflet must be clearly indicate the percentage of the recommended daily allowance. Within the EU legislation in preparation that limits on the minimum and maximum dosage of all the vitamins and minerals in supplements.

Is it necessary to consult your family doctor if you decide to take a multivitamin?
It is not necessary to consult with your family doctor if you have a extremely low-dosed supplement used. It is wise to consult with the GP at symptoms of a possible vitamin deficiencies, in pregnancy, at drug use or in chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

You improve your health by taking a multivitamin every day?
Taking a multivitamin supplement gives you some insurance that you get enough vitamins gets inside to prevent diseases caused by a vitamin deficiency. Extra vitamins only are, however, no guarantee of good health. Hereditary predisposition for example is affect the health and the need for vitamins. The same applies to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking, lack of exercise, calorie rich food and a great deal of stress. There are many other substances besides vitamins from the diet important for health. A multivitamin supplement can therefore not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.

What is the difference between brand supplements and private label supplements?
As with food supplements is also talk of ' branded ' and so-called House brands. There are several differences.

A difference may be found in the quality of the excipients used in supplements. Uses of vitamins that are well absorbed by the body. The difference in quality is noticeable also in the works. Brand products are usually made under Good Manufacturing Practice "or GMP. That is a quality assurance system. In addition, optimize producers of the branded their product regularly, with the supplements and study on its use. As a result, more regular use of other raw materials and production methods. Finally has a House brand usually a simpler packaging than an A-brand.

All this together brings higher costs, making branded goods typically more expensive than domestic brands.