Healthy Diet is a Priority, but Supplements Are Necessary

Whole foods and a daily multivitamin on a cream surface — why a healthy diet plus supplements is necessary (Root'd)

Healthy Diet is a Priority, but Supplements Are Necessary

Whole foods and a daily multivitamin on a cream surface — why a healthy diet plus supplements is necessary

Getting nutrients from food vs. supplements is generally best; however, studies 1suggest that over 94% of Americans don’t get all their essential daily nutrients from diet alone, particularly picky eaters, busy people, pregnant women, vegetarians, vegans, seniors, or people with certain health conditions or food allergies.

Diet alone leaves a gap for most of us

Americans missing some essential nutrients from diet alone 94%+ Source: micronutrient-inadequacy data (see references).

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, MD, said that a wholesome diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, beans, eggs, dairy, grass-fed meat, seafood, and some iodized salt, can supply all the nutrients our bodies need (except vitamin D of course as it naturally comes from the sun). But she also pointed out that she's cared for many people over the years and can honestly say that it's not how most Americans eat. Needless to say that it's one of the obvious reasons why we should consider taking multivitamins on top of our usual diet.

Are Multivitamin Supplements Necessary?

Multivitamins aren't meant to replace food — they fill in the nutritional gaps your everyday diet leaves behind.*

At some point, you may have even asked and wondered: Are multivitamin supplements necessary? While it is true that multivitamins aren't intended to replace food, they play an essential role in filling in nutritional gaps to prevent potential nutrient deficiency.*

Articles on the internet mostly point out that it's better and more practical to fill your cart with nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables when you do your grocery instead of spending your money on supplements. But more and more studies are unfortunately discovering that fruits and veggies are now lower in nutrients than the past years due to differences in plant breeding and soil depletion (just think of the chemicals used to fertilize those crops).

Nutrients From Food vs Supplements

It was never “food vs. supplements” — the smart move is food plus supplements working together.*

In many instances, the minerals and vitamins found in food sources are easier to absorb than those in supplement form. While this statement is true, its context isn't always applicable to everyone. Why? We may have all the nutritious fruits, vegetables, and meat stored in the fridge, but not everyone would always have enough time to prepare and cook.

Hands chopping fresh leafy greens and colorful vegetables on a wooden cutting board — getting nutrients from food
Whole foods first — but cooking from scratch every day isn't realistic for everyone.

Another thing to consider is that nearly every food preparation reduces the amount of nutrients in food. Also, due to the extremely high demand for taste over nutrition, many manufacturers will add food enhancers, such as MSG or sugar, which is obviously not good for our health either.

It shouldn't actually be "supplements vs. food," but rather "food + supplements." Just like in an article by New Hope Network — Diets first, but supplements are necessary2. After all, buying supplements like multivitamins is not a waste but rather an investment.* Cliche as it may sound, we all can agree that health is wealth.

Not “vs.” — it's food + supplements

Whole foodsEasy-to-absorb nutrients — when you have time to cook.
A daily multivitaminFills the gaps food leaves behind, every day.*

Two halves of one healthy lifestyle — they complement each other.*

Benefits of Taking Multivitamins Daily

1. Boosts energy and immunity*

When your body isn't running on empty, even the simple stuff feels easier.*

Woman feeling energized in a sunlit kitchen in the morning — multivitamins boost energy and immunity
Cover your daily nutrients and your body doesn't have to work overtime just to keep up.*

Nutrient deficiencies are common in our modern, busy lives. We're often too busy to eat properly, and our diets aren't always as balanced as we'd like them to be, especially considering our bodies need most vitamins EVERY DAY.* When we don’t get enough nutrients, our body works harder to perform even the simplest tasks which can lead to fatigue or other complex health issues.* Taking multivitamins daily and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle help to keep us fit and energetic.*

2. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress and Anxiety*

Studies link low nutrient levels to a low mood — topping up can help you feel more like yourself.*

A study3 demonstrated an association between nutrient deficiency and poor mood.* When we lack essential nutrients, our ability to focus and think properly is compromised, affecting our performance and productivity.* Nutrient deficiency can lead to irritability, poor concentration, or trigger anxiety, which may cause us to react negatively in social situations.*

So, if we want to always be at the top of our game, giving ourselves extra love and care by taking multivitamins can make all the difference in how we feel and think especially in stressful situations.

3. Slows Down Cognitive Aging*

In one large study, a daily multivitamin appeared to slow cognitive aging by roughly two years.*

Man resting and rehydrating after a home workout — staying sharp and strong with daily nutrients

According to the COSMOS-Mind study, taking multivitamins appeared to have slowed cognitive aging by about 2 years.* Dr. Andrea Wong said that this three-year study that was published in Alzheimer & Dementia Journal provided evidence that daily consumption of multivitamin supplements may benefit cognitive function.*

The COSMOS-Mind study, by the numbers*

0yr
study, published in Alzheimer & Dementia Journal
0yr
cognitive aging appeared to be slowed*
0
daily multivitamin in the routine

Evidence that a daily multivitamin may benefit cognitive function.*

4. Promotes Heart Health*

The right vitamins and minerals may help your heart — just skip the sugar-loaded gummies.*

Taking vitamins and minerals in the right amounts may help minimize the risk of heart disease.* According to a study, consistent intake of multivitamins may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.* One callout is to ensure any multivitamin you’re taking doesn’t contain sugar (looking at you, gummy vitamins), as, according to a study 4by Harvard University, sugar is known to increase the risk of heart disease.*

Want all your daily vitamins with 0g added sugar? Meet Root'd → — an effervescent multivitamin you mix into water.*

5. Supports and Maintains Muscle Strength*

B3 plus vitamins A, C, D and E quietly back up muscle growth, repair and recovery.*

Multis typically contain Niacin (Vitamin B3) which has muscle-boosting powers.* B3 aids muscle growth, repair, and recovery, which is why it is popular among bodybuilders.*

Vitamins A, C, D, and E also help in providing structural strength and increasing muscle mass.* These vitamins act on a cellular level and contribute to body functions such as collagen formation, oxidative stress reduction, and membrane repair.*

The muscle line-up*

Niacin (B3)
Aids muscle growth, repair & recovery — a bodybuilder favorite.*
Vitamins A & C
Help structural strength & collagen formation.*
Vitamins D & E
Support muscle mass, reduce oxidative stress & membrane repair.*

A daily multi typically rounds up all of these in one go.*

Daily multivitamin benefits — tap a card

Energy & immunity*
Cover your daily nutrients so your body isn't running on empty.*
Mood & calm*
Nutrient deficiency is linked to a low mood and poor focus.*
Sharper mind*
Cognitive aging appeared slowed by ~2 years in one study.*
Heart health*
Right amounts may help — minus the sugar of gummies.*
Muscle strength*
B3 plus vitamins A, C, D & E support growth and repair.*

Five everyday reasons a daily multi earns its spot.*

Takeaway

Diet and multivitamins aren't rivals — they're two key parts of one healthy lifestyle.

There should be no such distinction or competition between a healthy diet and multivitamins—they complement each other and should both be viewed as key elements of a healthy lifestyle.

While finding the best multivitamins may be subjective as men and women have different lifestyles and nutritional needs, you may want to consider various factors such as the form of supplement and the best time to take it to achieve maximum absorption. Consulting a doctor is also important to ensure that you get professional advice and avoid taking unnecessary vitamins and minerals.

A sugar-free multi, by the numbers*

0+
vitamins & minerals in one daily mix*
0g
added sugar — the callout from above*
electrolytes to rehydrate as you go*

Skip the sugary gummies — get the nutrients without the downside.*

Root'd MULTI hydrating daily multivitamin drink mix

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FAQs

Diet + supplements, answered

Multivitamins aren't intended to replace food, but they play an essential role in filling in nutritional gaps to prevent potential nutrient deficiency — and studies suggest over 94% of Americans don't get all their essential daily nutrients from diet alone.*

It shouldn't be "supplements vs. food," but rather "food + supplements." They complement each other and should both be viewed as key elements of a healthy lifestyle.*

A daily multivitamin may help boost energy and immunity, improve mood and reduce stress, slow cognitive aging, promote heart health, and support muscle strength — as long as it's taken consistently and at recommended levels.*

According to a Harvard University study, sugar is known to increase the risk of heart disease — so it's worth making sure any multivitamin you take doesn't contain added sugar (looking at you, gummy vitamins).*

Finding the best multivitamin can be subjective, as men and women have different lifestyles and nutritional needs. Consider the form of supplement and the best time to take it for maximum absorption — and consult a doctor for professional advice.*

References

  1. Linus Pauling Institute (Oregon State University) — micronutrient inadequacies overview. Source
  2. New Hope Network — study: multivitamins slow cognitive aging by nearly 2 years. Source
  3. PubMed — nutrient deficiency & mood. Source
  4. Harvard Health — added sugar & the risk of dying with heart disease. Source

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