• More people are taking nutritional supplements than ever before. It is estimated that over 100 million Americans take vitamins on a regular basis. Almost half of the Canadian population takes supplements daily, with 68% of people over 65 doing so regularly. 

Not only are more people taking vitamins, but many people are also adding more vitamins to their daily regime. The nutritional supplement market is expected to grow by 20% per year in Canada and by 30% in the United States. 

Most people take vitamins to boost energy and prevent illness while others believe it will help them live longer and healthier lives. Others feel empowered by taking better care of themselves through the practice of preventative medicine. 

Increased need: A vitamin study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that elderly people, vegans, alcohol-dependent individuals and patients with malabsorption are at higher risk of inadequate intake or absorption of several vitamins. Pollution, stress, exercise, particular family history or risk factors, and even coffee consumption all cause an increased need for vitamin supplementation. A complete multivitamin is the only effective way to ensure that all essential interactions take place, and this is why a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement is necessary. 

Poor dietary habits: Since the body cannot produce vitamins on its own, we must get them from the foods we eat. Unfortunately, we rarely eat well enough and with a wide enough variety of foods to get healthy levels of all necessary vitamins. Only two vitamins, biotin and pantothenic acid, are so easily obtained in almost any diet that deficiencies are extremely rare. So, although it's best to get as many vitamins as possible from natural foods, supplements are often necessary to keep the body functioning properly. 

Nutrient-depleted soils: An epidemic of vitamin-deficient foods has been building over the past 50 years. Years ago, nutrients were frequently replenished in the soil and transferred into the plants, but since farming techniques have changed drastically, so has the nutrient content of crops. To compound the problem of modern farming techniques, nutrient loss is experienced with the storing, drying and freezing of foods. Cooking, heating or processing food also strips out many of our needed vitamins and minerals, leaving us at risk for deficiencies—especially when we consume a lot of white products such as white flour or sugar. 


Preventative medicine: Studies have proven that supplementing your diet with certain vitamins and minerals may significantly reduce your risk of future health concerns. Inadequate folic acid status is associated with neural tube defect and some cancers. Folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 are required for homocysteine metabolism—low levels are associated with coronary heart disease risk. Vitamin E and lycopene may decrease the risk of prostate cancer and vitamin D is associated with decreased occurrence of fractures when taken with calcium. 

Increased life span: In general, we live longer than we did a century ago. As such, we require nutrients over a longer period of time so we may age in good health. As we age, our body slows down; cellular function, organ function, metabolism and repair processes are not as optimal as they were in our early 20s. Our digestive function decreases and so does our ability to take in vitamins in minerals. Vitamins and supplements provide extra fuel for the long journey ahead. 

Recommended multivitamin brands: Truestar, Optimum Nutrition, Kaizer, All-Max, Pharmafreak