Do Multivitamins Cause Weight Gain?

You’ve been popping your daily multivitamin, feeling great, but then you notice something strange—your jeans are fitting a little tighter. Could those tiny pills really be causing weight gain? Let’s unpack the truth behind this common misconception and explore whether multivitamins are a friend or foe when it comes to your waistline.

In today’s fast-paced world, multivitamins have become a staple in many people’s daily routines. Packed with essential nutrients, they are designed to fill in the gaps of our diets and support overall health. But with so many myths circulating about the effects of supplements on the body, one question often arises: Do multivitamins cause weight gain?

Understanding What Multivitamins Are For?

Vitamins are necessary for your body to function properly. They support a healthy immune system, control metabolism, and encourage normal growth and development. Supplements that include a variety of vitamins and minerals are called multivitamins. [1] [2] They are intended to supply extra nutrients that your diet might not be supplying. Although some people may benefit from taking multivitamins, it’s a popular myth that doing so will cause weight gain. To find out if they actually contribute to weight gain or if this is a myth, continue reading!

Essential vitamins and minerals are typically found in combination in multivitamins. Minerals including calcium, magnesium, and zinc, along with vitamins A, C, D, E, and B vitamins, are typical constituents. They might also include other components like herbs.

There can be several types of supplements, including protein and creatine supplements, that aid in weight gain. And there can be multivitamin supplements that help fulfill vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Is It a Myth or Do Multivitamins Actually Contribute to Weight Gain?

“No” is the concise response to this question. You won’t gain weight if you take multivitamins. [3] In fact, they might aid in weight loss by giving you extra nutrients that prolong feelings of fullness. Instead, the causes may include other factors that may be a high consumption of processed foods, an imbalanced diet, and a lack of physical activity. However, because they don’t provide the body calories, multivitamins, which include a range of vitamins and minerals, don’t cause weight gain. Nonetheless, they aid in controlling the body’s metabolism. [4]

Vitamins don’t increase metabolism unless you’re not getting enough of certain nutrients from your diet. In this situation, consuming multivitamins might help your body get the nutrients it needs, which would improve the efficiency of your metabolism. For instance, low vitamin B6 levels are linked to a drop in serotonin levels in the brain, which may increase hunger, increase food intake, and perhaps cause weight gain. [5] 

Some people may attribute weight gain to multivitamins because they fail to consider the larger picture of their entire lifestyle. Weight gain may be caused by behaviors such as a restrictive diet, unhealthy eating, or lack of exercise rather than the multivitamins only. You can choose the best multivitamin for you, but keep in mind that vitamins should support a healthy lifestyle rather than take its place.

How Do Vitamins Affect Our Bodies?

Vitamins are necessary for our bodies to function properly. They play a part in numerous bodily functions, including the building and repair of cells and the conversion of food into energy. 

There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble vitamins, which must be continuously replaced, and fat-soluble vitamins, which are stored in the body.

Water-soluble vitamins	Fat-soluble vitamins
Vit B complex & Vit C	Vit A, D, E, K

Different multivitamins for different age groups in Pakistan:

For Men:

Men can easily obtain the daily nutrients required for optimum health and functioning by taking healthy and well-balanced diet along with multivitamins if required in certain conditions, which offer comprehensive nutrient support for healthy functioning.

They include a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can support men’s health, strength, and energy levels. It’s crucial to remember that multivitamins can’t take the place of a nutritious diet.

OAD Men ® can be used as a multivitamin in a daily routine formulated specifically for men’s health, including zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. [6]

For Women:

Optimal levels of essential nutrients are supported by multivitamins in case any woman is suffering from any deficiency. Women’s bodies vary a lot throughout the course of their lives, making it challenging to obtain all the nutrients they need from food alone.

Women, especially those at risk of osteoporosis developing, can stay healthy by taking a multivitamin to help them maintain optimal amounts of vital vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

OAD Women® can be used as a multivitamin in a daily routine formulated specifically for women. [7]

For Kids:

Children’s bodies need more nutrients as they get older in order to function at their best. Some of the picky or fussy eaters in the case of children require multivitamins due to an imbalanced diet intake.

Essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that promote children’s healthy growth and development can be found in vitamins.

Kidzvits® multivitamin gummies can be used by children for their healthy growth and development. [8]

Conclusion:

In conclusion, even though multivitamins don’t directly cause weight gain, their usage may be linked to it if you don’t follow appropriate eating practices. You may maintain your health and fitness while benefiting from vitamins and minerals by taking multivitamins in conjunction with a nutritious diet and frequent exercise. 

References:

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11463060/

[2] https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/multivitamin

[3] https://www.blackmores.com.au/weight-management/do-vitamins-cause-weight-gain?srsltid=AfmBOootv-qXqZFfFAg7Y0bpkKTwgnhobaBVulSE1CfGR60x1wkOgmcZ

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3932423/

[5]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7279184/#:~:text=Vitamin%20B6%20might%20also%20impact,in%20healthy%20subjects%20%5B96%5D.

[6] https://cclpharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/leaflet-OAD-MEN-tablet-for-CHC.pdf

[7] https://cclpharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/leaflet-OAD-WOMEN-tablet-for-CHC.pdf

[8] https://www.kidzvits.pk/product/kidzvits-50s-multivitamin-mineral-gummies/