Study finds Americans need education about essential vitamins and minerals

MADISON, N.J. While the majority of Americans believe they are very or somewhat knowledgeable about multivitamins (67 percent), many do not know which vitamins and minerals are essential for the body or what vitamins and minerals are responsible for specific functions in the body, according to a survey released by the not-for-profit National Women’s Health Resource Center Tuesday and underwritten by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare.

“When it comes to ensuring people get the vitamins and minerals they need in their daily diet, we were concerned by their lack of knowledge—especially among women, who are more likely to take an active role in promoting their family’s health,” stated Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, executive vice president of NWHRC. “We want people to have the knowledge and resources to understand what their bodies should have and to help them choose a multivitamin that fits their needs if they are not getting the right nutrients from their diet.”

In fact, about a quarter of Americans believe they get the vitamins and minerals they need by diet alone. And while 51 percent of the individuals surveyed said take a multivitamin, most of them do not know which vitamins and minerals are essential for their bodies.

The survey also uncovered that 49 percent of Americans are very or somewhat concerned about LDL or bad cholesterol.