The combination of supplements does not normally interfere with their functioning and, in some cases, may be beneficial; for example, vitamin C helps the absorption of iron. If there are no known interactions between vitamins, it's OK to take multiple vitamins at once, Litt says. If you're not sure if there's an interaction, contact your healthcare provider. You know that getting the right vitamins and minerals is important for living a healthy lifestyle.
You've heard about the potential benefits of vitamin D, fish oil, and other supplements. You've already seen the enormous variety of options available for children, pregnant women, active men and older people; the list goes on and on. Blumberg says that taking both a multivitamin supplement and one that only contains vitamin E could mean that you're consuming more than the safe limit, especially if you take a high-dose vitamin E supplement. In fact, taking both a supplement and a multivitamin could cause toxicity, according to Jeffrey Blumberg, professor of nutrition at Tufts University in Boston.
While taking a daily multivitamin is generally safe, taking more than the recommended amount of certain vitamins and minerals can be harmful. If you decide to take a multivitamin or single-vitamin supplement, the clinic recommends avoiding mega-dose supplements. However, a multivitamin complex may not contain enough specific ingredients (such as calcium, vitamin D, or iron) to meet your needs, so be sure to do your homework and read the label. Whether you're taking a daily multivitamin to improve your overall health or depending on herbal supplements to fill nutritional gaps, it's important to be aware of potential interactions.
However, if you take a multivitamin, you don't usually need to take vitamin C or vitamin E supplements separately. Multivitamin supplements are the most commonly used dietary supplements in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. If you're not meeting the recommended daily amount of vitamins and nutrients, taking a multivitamin can be an affordable and safe way to make up the difference.
