Vitamins are natural substances found in the foods we consume. Due to the large consumption of highly processed foods, many people today do not get sufficient vitamins in their diet. This can lead to lethargy, inability to concentrate, difficulty in remembering things, mood swings, and other physical problems. Taking multivitamin supplements is one solution to counter the widely pervasive vitamin deficiencies today. Studies show that people who take multivitamin supplements regularly have a lower risk of several illnesses, including colon cancer and cardiovascular disease. Multivitamins are nutritional supplements that contain several different vitamins and minerals. They come in the forms of pills, chewable tablets, candies, gummy bears and liquids.

Taking multivitamin supplements is an especially good idea for two groups of people. First, anyone who is not eating a balanced diet should consider taking a multivitamin supplement. If you are not eating the recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and meat, you may not be getting enough vitamin C, calcium, vitamin A, zinc, iron, and all of the B vitamins. This includes vegetarians and people on weight-loss diets. For this group of people, it is important to look for 100 percent of the daily value of vitamin D, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and folic acid when selecting a multivitamin supplement. Second, multivitamin supplements are a good idea for those over the age of 60. Most elderly people do not get sufficient nutrients and the process of aging itself makes it difficult to absorb certain nutrients. The primary areas of vitamin deficiency for elderly people are vitamin D, C, B6, B12, folic acid, zinc, calcium, and magnesium. Since elderly people may need higher doses of these particular vitamins, it may be best to look for a multivitamin that is tailored to older people. Centrum Silver, for one, is a highly acclaimed multivitamin supplement for people 50 years of age or older. Please note that if you have any serious chronic medical conditions, you may have special requirements and should consult your doctor before taking a multivitamin supplement.

For more information on whether you should take multivitamins supplements and where to buy supplements see the following articles from TheDietChannel: Multivitamins: Do You Need a Multivitamins? and Multivitamins: How to Choose a Multivitamin.