Multivitamins

[jamessharp87]

Hello. I just wondered if anyone could recommend a good multivitamin that has no iron. Since my diagnosis of GH in Dec 2022, my GP advised me to stop taking my regular multivitamin as it contained iron. However I’ve found it difficult to find something to replace it. Thanks in advance. 😀

[Autumn_Leaves]

Assuming your appetite is good and you are capable of eating enough every day. if you still really want to take a multivitamin you’re better off sticking to a low dose. Most simple multi vitamin/mineral supplements in the UK don’t contain iron, although some supplements aimed at vegans do. I appreciate that different countries may have different product ranges.

Vitamin C will increase iron absorption so you need to limit your intake from supplements, but eating fresh fruit and green leafy vegetables is fine. I don’t take vitamin C even if I have a cold. There is some evidence that people who overload on iron also absorb more zinc, so there’s no need to go overboard on zinc either.

A food first approach is always better because foods contain many beneficial compounds that are not found in synthetic vitamin products. Personally I wouldn’t take them as long as I’m capable of eating three meals a day. If someone cannot because of poor appetite, or following surgery or any situation where their nutritional status was compromised, then there definitely would be good reason to supplement