Multivitamin Benefits: Everything You Need to Know

September 13, 2023

4 mins

Walk into any grocery store or pharmacy and you’ll likely see an entire aisle dedicated to nutritional supplements.

Multivitamins are one of the most popular supplements. As their name suggests, these supplements contain multiple vitamins and minerals that help people stay on top of their daily nutritional needs.

Still, not all multivitamins are the same, and getting nutrients through your diet is nearly always preferred.

Keep reading to learn more about multivitamins and how they can impact your health and well-being.

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What's in Multivitamins, and are They Worth it?

The human body needs 13 essential vitamins to function, grow, and develop. For some individuals, these vitamins are easily obtained through diet.

But for many people – especially those who don’t eat an ideal diet all the time – taking a daily multivitamin can help ensure they get the nutrients they need.

After all, it can be difficult to maintain the perfect healthy diet at all times. Multivitamins can help you support eye health, immune system, cognitive functions, and more. As a result, people can feel their best and ward off chronic diseases.

In addition to vitamins, many multivitamins also contain minerals. Minerals are non-organic molecules that the body needs to function properly.

Here are some of the specific vitamins and minerals you should look for in a quality multivitamin.

Essential vitamins

As stated previously, there are 13 essential vitamins. These include vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B6, B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, and folate.

A recent report by the CDC found that U.S. adults are often deficient in vitamins D, B6, C, and B12. Getting a multivitamin that contains these vitamins can be a great way to avoid a vitamin deficiency and its symptoms.

Minerals

Minerals fall into two groups: major minerals and trace minerals. Major minerals are the minerals that are found in larger quantities within the body. 

Major minerals include calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur. 

Trace minerals include chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.

People are commonly deficient in calcium, iron, and magnesium. When shopping for a multivitamin, it’s best to choose one that contains these important minerals.

What are the Benefits of Multivitamins?

Multivitamins have a multitude of health benefits. Arguably, their largest benefit is warding off one’s chances of developing a nutritional deficiency.

As stated earlier, the human body needs a wide array of nutrients to thrive. When you don’t get enough of these nutrients, it can begin to cause problems. Nutrient deficiencies are tied to a number of symptoms, including lower energy levels, brain fog, hair loss, and a decline in cardiovascular health.

Are there sexual benefits of multivitamins?

Multivitamins can even support sexual health by ensuring your body receives essential nutrients that play a role in overall wellness — including sexual function. Key vitamins and minerals found in multivitamins — such as vitamin D, B-complex vitamins, and zinc, contribute to healthy hormone levels, blood flow, and energy production — all of which are important for sexual performance and libido.

While multivitamins won't directly cure issues like erectile dysfunction, they can help fill nutrient gaps that may contribute to fatigue, low testosterone, or poor circulation — factors that can influence sexual health. Maintaining balanced nutrition through multivitamins can support overall well-being, potentially leading to better sexual performance and stamina.

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Who Needs Multivitamins?

Everyone can benefit from multivitamins. They are a great tool for supporting your overall health. Still, specific populations may benefit more than others.

Below is a closer look at the specific populations that may benefit from taking dietary supplements like multivitamins.Those with impaired digestion

Digestion is the process of taking in food, breaking it down, and distributing vital nutrients throughout the body. Digestion is how the body removes the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrition from your food.

Certain conditions of the gastrointestinal tract can reduce the effectiveness of digestion and can cause nutritional deficiency. Taking a multivitamin can help increase the amount of vitamins and minerals that your body is able to absorb. This can help reduce your chances of developing a nutritional deficiency.

Elderly individuals

The body is constantly changing and evolving throughout your lifetime.

As this happens, your dietary requirements also change and evolve.

As you get older, a number of changes can occur. These changes include a slowed down metabolism, changes in hormone levels, lowered bone density, and a decline in mobility.

Proper nutrition can help address these changes and support the body as it ages.

For that reason, physicians often recommend that older adults take multivitamins as part of their regular, daily routines.

Those with dietary restrictions

There is a wide range of diets out there. While many of these diets come with benefits, they can sometimes lack certain essential vitamins. One of the most common examples is a vegetarian or vegan diet.

These diets can be quite healthy, but are sometimes lacking in iron, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Taking a multivitamin to fill these gaps can help ward off nutrient deficiencies and allow those with dietary restrictions to be well-nourished.

How Rex MD Can Help

Multivitamins are helpful tools for people of all ages. Taking them daily ensures your body gets the essential nutrients it requires on a consistent basis.

Using these supplements can help reduce your risk of developing a nutritional deficiency, allowing you to live a healthier life.

A nutrient deficiency that is left unnoticed can cause a number of problems and can impact not only your overall health, but your sexual health, too. A daily vitamin supplement is a great way to avoid this and support your health and wellness.

Before adding a multivitamin to your regular daily regime, consult your healthcare provider to ensure it is safe for you.

Rex MD's parent company LifeMD can connect you to a licensed medical professional who will be able to advise you on which multivitamins may be best suitable for you. Make an online appointment today to get started.