Products
Multivitamin preparations are commercially available in the form of tablets, effervescent tablets, chewable tablets and juice, among others. Among the best-known brands in many countries are, for example, Burgerstein CELA, Centrum and Supradyn. Some products are approved as medicines and others as dietary supplements. Supradyn (Bayer) was originally manufactured by Roche and has been on the market for decades. The first products were launched as early as the 1940s. Multivitamins are also marketed for specific target groups such as children, men, women, the elderly, families or pregnant women. In our view, multivitamin preparations do not include products that combine only a few, selected vitamins or micronutrients.
Structure and properties
Multivitamin preparations contain, in addition to the most important vitamins, minerals and trace elements. They are therefore also called multivitamin-mineral preparations. In addition, they may contain various other ingredients such as ginseng, lutein, antioxidants or caffeine. Ingredients (selection):
- Vitamins: A, D, E, K, C, B-complex
- Minerals: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus.
- Trace elements: iron, zinc, selenium, copper, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, chromium.
The products differ in dosage. You can comply with the recommended daily allowance (RDA), or under or exceed it.
Effects
The ingredients perform numerous vital functions in metabolism and cannot be formed by the body itself. They must be supplied with food. Multivitamin preparations are popular, but their benefits are also controversial. One criticism is that they are insufficiently adapted to the individual needs of consumers. Taking other vitamins or micronutrients at the same time could result in an overdose (e.g., vitamin A). It is recommended that nutrient requirements be met as much as possible with a healthy diet. However, from our point of view, multivitamin supplements can be quite helpful for the indications listed below.
Indications for use
Indications for use include:
- Multivitamin preparations are taken for the prevention and treatment of deficiencies, for example, after illnesses in convalescence, when there is an increased need, in a vegetarian diet, after surgical procedures, diets and insufficient intake.
- Typical reasons for taking are also fatigue and exhaustion (use as a tonic).
- Special products are available for pregnancy and lactation, see multivitamins in pregnancy.
- As a dietary supplement.
Dosage
According to the technical and directions for use. For most remedies, once daily intake is sufficient. They are usually taken in the morning and with a meal.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Hypervitaminosis A
- Hypervitaminosis D
- Hypercalcemia
- Severe hypercalciuria
- Renal insufficiency
- Simultaneous intake of products containing vitamin A or vitamin D.
- Iron and/or copper metabolic disorders
- Systemic therapy with retinoids
- Children, pregnancy, lactation (depending on the product).
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
The possible interactions of each ingredient should be noted. Minerals may inhibit the absorption of other drugs and reduce their bioavailability. Therefore, multivitamins should not be taken at the same time as other drugs. An interval of two hours should be maintained. Vitamin K may interact with vitamin K antangonists.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects include gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, as well as allergic reactions. Central nervous disturbances such as headache, dizziness, and sleep disturbances have been reported. Riboflavin may cause the urine to turn yellow. However, this is harmless.
