Multivitamins: So Many Types, So Many Labels
By MELINDA BECK
WSJ
Your mother made you take them. Many doctors agree. Even the Flintstones seem to endorse them. But do you really need a multivitamin?
How do you know if you need a multivitamin? And how do you choose which one? Melinda Beck explains.
The answer is ... probably not, although much depends on your age, gender, diet and health. One thing is certain: A one-size-fits-all multivitamin can't precisely meet everyone's needs. People over 50 need extra vitamin B-12, but not as much iron as many multivitamins contain. Children who take adult multivitamins may be getting too much vitamin A. And many women need a separate supplement to get extra calcium, since it's too bulky to fit into a multivitamin.
No wonder the vitamin aisle is so confusing, as manufacturers tailor products for different population segments. One-A-Day brand alone offers 14 versions, from Men's 50+ Advantage to Vitacrave Gummies for kids.
Reading labels can lead to even more confusion. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for vitamins and minerals, which are set by the independent Institute of Medicine, differ by an individual's age and gender. But for convenience, the Food and Drug Administration requires dietary supplements to list a single Daily Value, usually the highest needed.
(More here.)
WSJ
Your mother made you take them. Many doctors agree. Even the Flintstones seem to endorse them. But do you really need a multivitamin?
How do you know if you need a multivitamin? And how do you choose which one? Melinda Beck explains.
The answer is ... probably not, although much depends on your age, gender, diet and health. One thing is certain: A one-size-fits-all multivitamin can't precisely meet everyone's needs. People over 50 need extra vitamin B-12, but not as much iron as many multivitamins contain. Children who take adult multivitamins may be getting too much vitamin A. And many women need a separate supplement to get extra calcium, since it's too bulky to fit into a multivitamin.
No wonder the vitamin aisle is so confusing, as manufacturers tailor products for different population segments. One-A-Day brand alone offers 14 versions, from Men's 50+ Advantage to Vitacrave Gummies for kids.
Reading labels can lead to even more confusion. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for vitamins and minerals, which are set by the independent Institute of Medicine, differ by an individual's age and gender. But for convenience, the Food and Drug Administration requires dietary supplements to list a single Daily Value, usually the highest needed.
(More here.)
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