I’ve gone back and forth on taking a multivitamin since I know my diet isn’t all that great. Ideally I should be working to improve that diet but let’s say due to certain circumstances that’s a bit difficult at the moment.

Would it be worth taking a 1 a day multivitamin to at least correct some possible deficiency or is it very unlikely that it would have any effect?

Not asking for professional medical advice or anything, mostly looking to see if anyone else is taking a multivitamin and if so why?

  • kodafrmdaOC@lemmy.world
    114·
    1 year ago

    I have created a handy chart to follow

    Did your doctor recommend you take supplements?

    If yes

    Take those specific supplements

    If no

    You do not need to take supplements

    • jeffw@lemmy.worldEnglish
      70·
      1 year ago

      To add to this, you really need a blood test to show what you need. Some docs will talk out their ass about dieting (this is rare, but it happens). Always get bloodwork to confirm.

      Also, some vitamins are water soluble, others need to be taken with food. Your doc should know though

      I’m a vegetarian and people assume I need B12, but my bloodwork shows I’m fine. I did need some D though, since apparently hiding inside for 3 years during a pandemic can impact your body… who would’ve guessed??

      • pastermil@sh.itjust.works
        53·
        1 year ago

        I did need some D though, since apparently hiding inside for 3 years during a pandemic can impact your body… who would’ve guessed??

      • Hyperreality@kbin.social
        18·
        1 year ago

        Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common. I think it’s something like 1/3 or 1/4 depending on the season or where you live.

        Of course, if you’re a member of the red haired master race, your body produces it for you so it’s less likely.

        • jballs@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Vitamin D deficiency was also shown to be a co-morbidity with COVID. So to answer the question “do multivitamins do anything?” I’d say they could potentially have saved your life and you might not have noticed.

          Before COVID, my wife nagged me into establishing a primary care physician since I hadn’t gone in a while. So I did, they did a blood test, and showed that I was vitamin D deficient. I took some prescription vitamin D for like a week then my doctor told me to start taking a multivitamin. When they later announced it being a co-morbidity, I felt like I dodged a bullet.