Did you know that almost 40% of Americans take multivitamins on a regular basis and out of that number only about 7% actually get all the minerals that they actually need? We take multivitamins because they are a very good source of nutrients that are capable of fighting diseases, keeping our body and bones healthy and also give us extra energy that lets us do various jobs. However, most of the people who take multivitamins aren't benefited by them.

Every individual has a different body and thus each person requires different minerals in different proportions. As a person changes over time, the minerals that are required by his (or her) body keep changing. For example, a child needs a multivitamin that is rich in vitamin C, as it helps in fighting various diseases and also aids growing of the bones. A working man needs an extra boost of energy which can be provided by an iron and calcium rich multivitamins. Iron is also recommended to pregnant women as it strengthens the bones. Old people are advised to take supplements of vitamin a, to maintain a good sight and a supplement of iron so that they can maintain their stamina.

As seen above, many different people of different age groups take multivitamins for different reasons. Thus, one cannot just take any multivitamin off the shelf. The multivitamin that you take depends on the lifestyle and age and thus it is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting on any supplement. In addition, you should also be careful when taking multivitamins as severe side effects may occur.