Who needs multivitamins? 2 minute diet and lifestyle quiz

Studies indicate that more lutein may be absorbed by the body when taken in supplement form that when eating spinach.

What are multivitamins and why should I take them?

Multivitamins are combinations of vitamins that often also contain minerals and sometimes include other ingredients such as herbs. Most multivitamins contain a variety of ingredients. However, not all formulations are 'complete' multivitamin-multimineral supplements (i.e. provide a significant quantity of each vitamin and mineral), and there are regulations in the UK that define what must be present in a supplement in order to claim they are 'complete' in this way.

People take them for a number of different reasons:

To ensure they are receiving all the nutrients their body needs each day, in combination with a healthy diet
To maintain overall health and fitness
To maintain vitality and help maintain good health as age increases
If they are athletes who need to ensure a regular supply of essential nutrients
As a nutritional insurance policy to supplement what an individual may consider to be a poor diet
When their diet may be lower in certain nutrients e.g. during slimming
To help combat the effects of smoking on nutritional status