Multivitamins: Do You Need One? Dosage & Recommendations

Question
Does a normal /healthy adult need to take multivitamin supplement? If yes what is the dosage and which one would you recommend?
The only problem that I seem to be having is hairfall.

Answer
Hi SK,

There is some debate as to whether a multivitamin is necessary. If you are eating a healthy, well-balanced diet (lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes)and are healthy, it's likely you are meeting all your nutrient needs. That being said, many people do *not* eat a well balanced diet, and if that's the case for you, if you are not willing to make changes to your diet, a multivitamin is a good idea. You don't need anything fancy or expensive, a broad-spectrum multivitamin/mineral supplement such as Centrum Forte is adequate.

In addition, it is recommended that all adults over 50 years of age take a B12 supplement (this is because 10-30 percent of adults over 50 cannot absorb B12 from foods properly). The recommended intake for B12 is 2.4 micrograms per day.

Hairloss/thinning can be a perfectly normal part of getting older, but it *may* also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency (most likely zinc or iron). It is also a sign of some other health problems, so if this is a big concern I would recommend heading to your doctor for a checkup.

Hope that helps!

Karen
www.getfitwithkaren.com