Why do doctors not want you to take vitamins?

They may be toxic, ineffective, or contaminated (all of which are not uncommon). In other words: Most people who eat a healthy diet are unlikely to benefit from nutritional supplements. Note the very important qualifiers. We're talking about most people (not all) who eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.


Why should you not take vitamins?

Vitamin supplements do not prevent diseases

Studies and meta-analysis have been done for many years that clearly state that vitamin supplements cannot be an effective substitute for food. They are also not helpful in preventing cancer. In fact, some vitamin supplements can cause serious risks to our health.

Do doctors recommend taking multivitamins?

A 2021 review conducted by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force analyzing the results of 84 vitamin and mineral supplement trials determined that taking a multivitamin provides little to no benefit in preventing heart disease and cancer, for instance.


Are vitamins recommended by doctors?

Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements and can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium and vitamin C, are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly.

Are vitamins actually necessary?

If you take a multivitamin, it's probably because you want to do everything you can to protect your health. But there is still limited evidence that a daily cocktail of essential vitamins and minerals actually delivers what you expect. Most studies find no benefit from multivitamins in protecting the brain or heart.


Doctor answers your questions about vitamins and supplements



What is the most important vitamin for your body?

There is some contention in the medical community on which vitamin is actually most important for your body. The common consensus says it's either Vitamin B12 or Vitamin D. While both deserve to be in the tops slots, We're going to call it with Vitamin D, simply because so many people are deficient.

Who should avoid taking multivitamins?

Who should not take MULTIVITAMIN?
  • iron metabolism disorder causing increased iron storage.
  • an overload of iron in the blood.
  • a type of blood disorder where the red blood cells burst called hemolytic anemia.
  • an ulcer from too much stomach acid.
  • a type of stomach irritation called gastritis.


Do we really need multivitamins?

Are Multivitamins necessary? Most experts agree that normal, healthy adults who eat a balanced diet have no need for a multivitamin. Taking a daily multivitamin doesn't pose much of a risk for most people, but they often use it as an insurance policy for a bad diet.


Is it good to take a multivitamin everyday?

"It may seem like common sense to be taking multivitamins, but there actually isn't much evidence that a daily cocktail of essential vitamins and minerals actually delivers what you expect." Most studies have found no significant benefit from taking a daily multivitamin to protect the brain or heart or prevent cancer.

Are vitamins a waste of money?

But Northwestern Medicine scientists say for non-pregnant, otherwise healthy Americans, vitamins are a waste of money because there isn't enough evidence they help prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer. “Patients ask all the time, 'What supplements should I be taking?

What vitamins shouldn't you take everyday?

On the evidence, supplementing your diet with any of these 5 vitamins carries little or no benefit, and may cause you harm.
...
The Top Five Vitamins You Should Not Take
  • Vitamin C. ...
  • Vitamin A and beta carotene. ...
  • Vitamin E. ...
  • Vitamin B6. ...
  • Multi-vitamins.


What are the negative effects of vitamins?

However, because they contain active ingredients, they can also cause unwanted effects, such as elevated blood pressure, racing or irregular heartbeat, headache, dizziness, or digestive symptoms.

What vitamins are worth taking?

We asked four experts to tell us which seven ingredients your multivitamin should have, no matter what brand you choose.
  • Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium, which is important for bone health. ...
  • Magnesium. ...
  • Calcium. ...
  • Zinc. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Folate. ...
  • Vitamin B-12.


Are fish oil pills good for you?

Studies suggest fish oil supplements might help reduce pain, improve morning stiffness and relieve joint tenderness in people with rheumatoid arthritis. While relief is often modest, it might be enough to reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medications.


Can I take 5 different vitamins at once?

You can—but it's probably not a good idea. For some supplements, optimal absorption can depend on the time of day taken. Not only that—taking certain vitamins, minerals, or other supplements together can also reduce absorption and may result in adverse interactions, which can be harmful to your health.

What supplements are really necessary?

Supplements: What You Really Need
  • Vitamin D. 1/15. It helps keep your bones strong. ...
  • Probiotics. 2/15. Also called “good” bacteria, probiotics are found in fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha, miso, and sauerkraut. ...
  • Multivitamins. 3/15. ...
  • Folic Acid. 4/15. ...
  • Fiber Supplements. 5/15. ...
  • Fish Oil. 6/15. ...
  • Calcium. 7/15. ...
  • Joint Supplements. 8/15.


What is the best vitamins for adults?

  • Garden of Life Vitamin Code Multivitamin for Women. ...
  • Ritual Essential for Women. ...
  • Nature Made Multivitamin For Him. ...
  • One A Day Men's 50+ Healthy Advantage Multivitamin. ...
  • One A Day Women's 50+ Healthy Advantage Multivitamin. ...
  • Pure Encapsulations - Nutrient 950 - Hypoallergenic Multivitamin/Mineral Formula.


What kind of vitamins should a woman take daily?

There are a few types of these nutrients, and they're all good for your body. But three of them -- vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid -- are especially important. Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. You need it to keep your brain working well and to help your body change food into energy, which is called metabolism.

Can multivitamins do more harm than good?

Multivitamins aren't much better, either. In a study of over 80,000 American physicians, those who took multivitamin pills had a 7 per cent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who didn't go for such supplements.

What two vitamins are you not supposed to take together?

What vitamins should not be taken together?
  • Magnesium and calcium. ...
  • Iron and green tea. ...
  • Vitamin C and B12. ...
  • Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. ...
  • Vitamin D, vitamin K2, and other fat-soluble vitamins. ...
  • Magnesium and vitamin D3. ...
  • Copper and zinc. ...
  • Omega-3s and vitamin E.


What are the 3 most important vitamins?

Top 10 Essential Vitamins and Minerals Your Body Needs
  • Vitamin A. Vitamin A keeps your heart, lungs, liver and other organs working properly. ...
  • Vitamin D. Vitamin D builds strong bones by helping our body absorb calcium from food and supplements. ...
  • Vitamin E. ...
  • Vitamin K. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Magnesium. ...
  • Zinc.


What 4 vitamins are extremely important?

The four fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins are absorbed more easily by the body in the presence of dietary fat. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. The nine water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C and all the B vitamins.

What are the top 5 vitamins?

Top 5 Supplements for Optimal Health
  • Multivitamin. A good quality multivitamin is one of the most important supplements for optimal health. ...
  • Fish Oil. Fish oil supplements provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for regulating inflammation. ...
  • Magnesium. ...
  • Vitamin D. ...
  • Probiotics.


Why do doctors not recommend supplements?

Supplements aren't always safe.

Dr. Millstein explains, “Supplements may interact with other medications you're taking or pose risks if you have certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, or are going to have surgery.

What vitamins should you not take a lot of?

One study linked excess iron and copper to increased incidence of Alzheimer's disease and heart disease. Your best bet: If you're over 50, ditch the multivitamins with iron and copper unless a doctor instructs you to take them.