Do multi-vitamins really help or does your system just flush them away?

Question

I have been listless lately and so I started taking a multi-vitamin daily. I've been doing this everyday for approx. 2 months and I do seem to have any more energy than before. Just wondering if they really do help? Anyone?

Answer 1

Your body takes what it needs and the excess of all but the fat soluable are "flushed away." The fat soluable vitamins are A, D, E, and K. Most of us will not get too much of those by taking a multiple vitamin daily. Feeling listless could be from iron deficiency and taking vitamin C along with iron helps the body absorb the iron better and will give you more energy.

Answer 2

I'm not an expert on vitamins, but I think a good multi-vitamin would be beneficial to a person whose diet lacks fruits, veggies, and nuts, because these natural foods contain a lot of the essentials that our bodies need. One should also consider the type of chemicals/processes that some companies might use to mash all those vitamins and minerals into a pill (I suppose there could be something harmful in that).

However, I do want to point out that too much of vitamin A, D, E, and K can be harmful to one's health. This is because ADEK vitamins are NOT water-soluble. That is, they are absorbed by lipid cell membranes where they stay, since they can't be dissolved into the aqueous solutions surrounding the membrane. Any other vitamin, like vitamin C, IS water soluble, so it can be easily flushed from the body when there is excess.

Answer 3

If you are eating a properly balanced diet, there is no reason to take Vitamins. Though there is a lot of hype from those who market them, there is very little credible evidence that taking mega-doses of vitamins do anything other than make vitamin manufacturers rich. Excess vitamins are excreted as there is no way to store them in the body.

There's lots of reasons to feel "listless" from viral infection to hypothyroidism, diabetes, anemia, allergies to depression. Treating yourself without actually having a diagnosis is problematic, whether or not you "feel" better.

In 2 months a self limited viral infection could resolve, giving you the illusion that vitamins actually did something. The so-called-alternative-medicine (SCAM) movement depends on this phenomenon.

Answer 4

Multi-vitamins have been shown to offer significant help in scientific studies. Twenty years ago this was disputed, but no one disputes this anymore.

However, you will get the best help by following the guidelines of 5-9 helpings of fresh/frozen vegetables a day.

Listlessness is very often the result of poor eating habits.

Don't get into the habit of thinking that a multi-vitamin compensates for a poor diet. They don't.

Answer 5

Muti-vitamins are not going to give you extra energy but will help if you have a vitamine defiency. Vitamins metabolizes within 2-4 hours. Also most Vitamins and Muti-vatimns come package in to small of a dose for much benefit. With that being said I will also tell you vitamins mixed correctly in large enough dose can be very energizing.

Answer 6

a lot of times, certain vitamins will counteract each other if you ingest them at the same time. drinking milk and eating a steak according to 1950's american nutritional lore was basically useless because vitamin d and protein cancel each other out so to speak. this might be happening with your multi vitamin.
you also might not be getting the right balance. for example, if you have an iron rich diet and there is iron in the multivitamin you are taking, you might have too much in your body and that can be making you tired. (too much iron can make you just as tired as having too little). you should try to eat all your vitamins in solid food, its easier to keep track that way, and i think your body does absorb them better.

Answer 7

Yes, they help but your body doesn't use all of the vitamins at once (it can only metabolize so quickly) and artificial vitamins aren't exactly the same as what is available in food.

Still, much better than nothing. Good job taking vitamins, your body will be better for it in the long run.

Answer 8

Yes, they work at supplementing necessary vitamins and minerals to your system, however; I've never known them to be famous for giving anyone energy.

You might try cutting your sugar and carb intake. That worked wonders for me. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 9

they may not make such a big difference, but yeah, they do help keep illnesses (such as the flu) at bay
u gotta take them regularly, tho, then take a break, then start again, if u wanna