The AMA Says YES to Multivitamins

By Shana Hopkins, MS, CN, WAC Nutritionist

The American Medical Association (AMA) is finally acknowledging what researchers and scientists in the nutrition field have known for years: that taking a multivitamin benefits the health of Americans.

For years, the AMA has held an anti-vitamin policy, suggesting that only pregnant women and those who were chronically sick would benefit from supplementation. However, the AMA is no longer able to ignore what years of research are showing—that a basic vitamin and mineral formula can help to prevent the most common diseases of advancing age including heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. The AMA is now advising that all adults take at least one multivitamin pill each day.

Today it seems more important than ever to supplement with a multivitamin and mineral formula. Overfarming, soil erosion, and long-distance shipping of produce have all contributed to a decline in the nutrient content of fruits and vegetables over the years. As well, an increase in convenience foods in the market place has led to an overall poorer diet for most Americans. Almost 80 percent of Americans do not eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, which provide many of the nutrients needed to prevent disease.

For over a year now, the WAC has offered members a top-of-the-line supplementation program called CustomVite. It allows you to work with the nutritionist to develop a customized formula that meets your special needs based on your age, activity level, and health concerns. Take advantage of this benefit and find out what vitamins, minerals, and accessory nutrients would most benefit your body!