It is a question that is asked by many people, especially as they get older. Whether or not one should take vitamins as supplements is often a subjective answer, but there are certain people who should definitely take them and in most cases it probably would not hurt. The best way to get vitamins is to get them in one’s regular diet, but it can be very hard to get enough of every type of vitamin your body needs from food alone. Even then, taking too many vitamins can hurt your body if you take too many of certain vitamins that your body can’t eliminate or if you take so many that it hurts other functions in your body.
For most people, a all-in-one vitamin once a day is likely to be enough, but before taking anything the best course of action would be to ask one’s doctor. There are certain conditions in which taking supplements and vitamins is definitely encouraged such as with prenatal vitamins for pregnant women.
If you decide to buy some vitamins at your local drug store or grocery store you should do your homework first on which brands are trusted (as a lot of over the counter supplements are not FDA regulated like prescription drugs). Talking to your local pharmacist can help in the process and he or she can make specific recommendations to you, taking into consideration your health conditions and general health and lifestyle.
Vitamins are not a cure-all, but they can help in staying in good health and preventing certain conditions. So the question comes down to your particular age and health status and what your providers (doctors, pharmacists, etc.) think is best for you. Don’t be afraid to ask them!