Multivitamin and multimineral supplements are specifically designed to provide a variety of both essential and/or non-essential nutrients for the body. The primary purpose of these supplements is to allow individuals the option of taking only one or a few dietary supplements that provides many nutrients to the body. Multivitamin supplements can help to prevent both vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and are used by many to increase essential nutrients in the body to achieve additional health benefits.
The majority of One-per-day multivitamins usually contain vitamin B-complex, along with variable levels of vitamins A and D, depending on the type of multivitamin. While some one-per-day multivitamins contain high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D, many multivitamins do not. As the body does not require as many minerals as vitamins, most multivitamins include small amounts of essential minerals including copper, zinc, and iron.
Some one-a-day multivitamins may not provide sufficient amounts of many essential nutrients for people who eat a traditional Western diet, who usually require additional amounts of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C.