Views from the Shore
By Brian Cahill
I was walking through the GNC store bin Somers Point the other day, looking to get a good deal on a supply of multivitamins. The store representative was pleasant and helpful. He recommended one that was designed for my age and lifestyle. It occurred to me as I was leaving the store that I’ve been taking a multi-vitamin at the start of my day for as long as I could remember, but I never stopped to think if they were actually doing anything for me. I just assumed they were. So, I spoke with Dr. David Totton, Ambulatory Pharmacist with Shore Physicians Group in Somers Point and he offered his advice on multivitamins. I’d like to take this opportunity to share what he had to say.
“In general, most people will get the daily required amount of vitamins and minerals through consuming a well-balanced diet and do not require a multivitamin supplementation,” said Dr. Totton. “There are, however, certain instances where multivitamin supplementation may be beneficial, such as during pregnancy, different dietary strategies or if a deficiency is found on routine lab work.”
What is in your Multivitamin?
But what is really in most multivitamins? Dr. Totton said what most people are referring to when they say multivitamins are specifically multivitamins with minerals which generally contain the daily required amounts of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K along with potassium, iodine, zinc, calcium, magnesium and/or iron. Dr. Totton suggests if you choose to take a multivitamin, choose one that best fits your individual needs. The multivitamins are available in a variety of formulations based on age, sex and specific nutritional needs.
No Thanks, Herbals
Herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wart and ginko are usually lacking research and do not go through the same regulatory processes set in place for most other supplements. “I recommend looking for products that contain the recommended daily allowances and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) seal of approval on the label. This certifies that the product contains all ingredients listed on the label in the declared potency and is free from contaminants,” concluded Dr. Totton.
Who Benefits from Multivitamins?
Dr. Totton points out that those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are often found to be lacking in some essential nutrients due to their strict dietary restrictions. “Some of the ones to be mindful of are vitamins B12, D, calcium and iron. Vegetarians and vegans may benefit from a multivitamin; however, they should be aware that most multivitamins contain low amounts of calcium and iron so they may require a specialized product or individual supplements to meet their specific needs,” said Dr. Totton.
One group that is advised to take a multivitamin is pregnant women. Dr. Totton said those multivitamins are to support healthy development of the child. “During pregnancy it is important to be cognizant of six key nutrients: folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, DHA (Omega-3’s), and iodine.
Cut it out!
Dr. Totton offers Medicare wellness visits in conjunction with the primary care physicians at Shore Physicians Group. He suggests to patients during a review of their medications, that if they are currently taking a multivitamin that has not been prescribed by their physician, they should discuss the necessity of taking the vitamin at their next visit. “You may find that you do not need it and that is one less expense and one less pill to worry about each day,” added Dr. Totton.
According to Dr. Totton, multivitamins do not generally interact with most medications, but there are a few notable exceptions. “If you take the blood-thinner warfarin (brand name Coumadin), you should talk to your doctor before taking any product that contains vitamin K as this can decrease the effectiveness of your blood-thinner.
The Best Way to get the Vitamins
Rather than taking a multivitamin, Dr. Totton suggested we all adopt a diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, good protein sources and healthy fats. Those components will provide most of the nutrients your body needs. While consuming multivitamins at the recommended dosage is not harmful with the only downside being the cost of the supplement, Dr. Totton said to save the money spent on unnecessary supplements and instead incorporate more healthy foods on a daily basis.
Dr. Totton is seeing patients at all Shore Physicians Group’s primary care offices. To make a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit appointment, contact your SPG primary care provider.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University, and is a founding member of Somers Point-Community First, a local volunteer organization.
