Are Vitamins Good for You? The Truth Behind Supplementation

Vitamins and supplements have become a standard part of modern life; from daily multivitamins to targeted supplements to hip and trendy brands, vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements are easy to find and incorporate into your wellness routine. But that may leave you with one question: are vitamins good for you? Do they really help support your body? Let's dig into what vitamins are and what they do, moving towards a science-based understanding of how vitamins and minerals support the body.

What Supplements like Vitamins and Minerals Do

What are vitamins, really? Vitamins are essential organic compounds that your body needs to function and support your health. Our bodies can't produce these essential vitamins, so we need to get them through dietary sources.

Minerals are also essential, meaning our bodies can’t make them, so you'll find vitamins and minerals included in many multivitamin supplements. Like vitamins, minerals also play important roles in the body. Vitamins and minerals play important roles in all of our bodily functions. For example, calcium provides structural support for our bones and teeth, vitamin A supports a healthy immune system, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, and the mineral magnesium supports muscle relaxation and heart, nerve, and bone health.^†

Can You Get Enough Vitamins From Food Alone? What About Minerals?

Can you get enough vitamins and minerals from food alone? While it's possible, many people just don’t eat the right foods that are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Studies show that most US adults have at least one nutrient inadequacy.^[1] This can come from several factors. One of the most prominent is diet; favoring certain foods over others can reduce the intake of vitamins and minerals that you could be getting from your daily diet. Age-related changes, dietary restrictions like vegetarianism or veganism, and lifestyle factors like low levels of sunlight exposure can also affect your nutrient intake.

Certain medical conditions or medications can also affect how certain vitamins and minerals are absorbed. It’s best to consult with your primary healthcare provider about your specific situation for tailored advice. While vitamin and mineral supplements can help to bridge these possible nutrient gaps, they are not a replacement for a balanced diet. Supplements should complement a diet of nutrient-dense foods and healthy lifestyle choices, including regular exercise and good sleep habits.

The Science Behind Vitamin Supplementation

Are vitamins good for you? What does vitamin supplementation do, exactly? Vitamin supplements can help to make up for common nutrient deficits in specific populations. For instance, vitamin D supports bone and immune health and is often low in older adults or those with limited sun exposure or darker skin tones.^[1] If you fall into any of those categories, a vitamin D supplement can help supplement your daily vitamin D to support your wellness.^†

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that supports your brain and nervous system. B12 supplementation may be especially important for older adults or vegans and vegetarians. Dietary B12 is mostly found in animal products like meat and dairy, so it's not as common in diets that favor plant-based foods.^[2] Nature Made^® Vitamin B12 1000 mcg Softgels support brain cell function and help reduce fatigue for those low in Vitamin B12.^†

Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient, and is especially important during pregnancy. The daily recommended amount of folic acid increases during pregnancy, which is vital for the baby's health.^[3] Prenatal supplements include this essential vitamin as part of their daily nutritional support. Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin Folic Acid + DHA Softgels support the development of your baby's brain, nervous system, bones and eyes with one daily softgel.^†

There are some vitamins that complement each other, like Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2.^[4] Vitamin D3 helps your body absorb calcium, while vitamin K2 works with the calcium in your body to support healthy bones. That's why Nature Made offers Vitamin D3 + K2 Gummies, combining these two essential vitamins to support strong, healthy bones.^†

Supplementation can be valuable when used to address specific, identified gaps. It's not a blanket fix for a poor diet. Consult with your primary healthcare provider for personalized, professional guidance, including testing for vitamin deficiencies.

Should You Be Taking a Vitamin Supplement?

What vitamins should I take? Not everyone needs a vitamin supplement, but it's possible you may benefit from one. Consult with your healthcare practitioner to discuss possible supplement benefits. They'll ask key questions like, what does your diet look like? Do you have any health conditions or medications that affect nutrient absorption?

They can also help you address concerns about possible nutrient gaps, like vitamin D or vitamin B12. Your primary healthcare practitioner can provide personalized advice. Always consult with them before starting a new supplement routine.

When is the best time to take vitamins? Most vitamins should be taken daily with water and a meal. Attaching your supplement routine to a regular meal can help you remember to take your vitamins at the same time every day, alongside water and some dietary fat for proper absorption. However, it's important to read the suggested use on the label of every supplement for more specific instructions.

Vitamins Can Help Support You

Are vitamins good for you? Yes! While vitamin supplements are no miracle pill, they can help support your body by addressing possible nutrient gaps in your diet. Vitamins are good for you, and your own health needs and goals can help you determine whether supplementation of vitamins and minerals is right for you.

Your primary care provider can help assess your needs and help you create a daily wellness routine to support your health. Supplements can be a valuable tool, but they are not a shortcut: they work alongside healthy habits, including a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, and good sleep hygiene to support long-term wellness.

Explore Nature Made Multivitamin Supplements for a daily source of key nutrients in gummy and tablet forms. And check out The Daily 4, a starting wellness routine chosen by our nutrition science experts.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1735. Published 2020 Jun 10.
2. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin B12. Nih.gov. Published 2024. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
3. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements - Folate. Nih.gov. Published 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/
4. van Ballegooijen AJ, Pilz S, Tomaschitz A, Grübler MR, Verheyen N. The Synergistic Interplay between Vitamins D and K for Bone and Cardiovascular Health: A Narrative Review. Int J Endocrinol. 2017;2017:7454376. doi:10.1155/2017/7454376