Overdose of multivitamins can result in iron intoxication, nerve harm, or kidney stones, docs warn that retailers the place multivitamins are bought are normally present in vary from grocery shops and quick meals joint cabinets.
“If taken on the incorrect dose, multivitamins may cause digestive issues, work together with medicine, and even result in toxicity from fat-soluble nutritional vitamins (A, D, E, Ok) that accumulate within the physique. Specialists earlier than taking multivitamins, particularly in present well being situations or whereas taking different medicines,” mentioned Vikas Vasista, College of Inside Medication, Silstrek Multiskaiti Hospital, Delhi.
Multivitamins are dietary dietary supplements that include a wide range of nutritional vitamins and minerals, designed to enhance your eating regimen and assist meet dietary gaps. Multivitamins should not a balanced dietary various, however are helpful in sure conditions, specialists say.
In India, multivitamin dietary supplements are regulated primarily by the Meals Security Requirements Authority (FSSAI) underneath the Meals Security Requirements Act, which classifies them as well being dietary supplements or dietary dietary supplements. Nevertheless, if a multivitamin complement comprises components on prime of a longtime each day allowance (RDA), or make a disease-related declare, it’s categorized as a drug and falls inside the scope of the Drug and Cosmetics Act.
With simple accessibility, elevated well being consciousness, elevated disposable revenue, urbanization, getting older and the growing adoption of preventive well being options, the Indian dietary complement market is increasing quickly.
Lately, human client merchandise have been linked to vegetarian quick meals chains for promotional campaigns through the Navratri pageant, distributing Healthok multivitamins to a number of states. By way of this partnership, the corporate goals to make sure that “pure vegetarian” well being multivitamins are extra accessible to shoppers, in keeping with vegetarian life-style, vp and head of gross sales and advertising, Pleasure Chatterjee and Mankind Pharma.
“As most multivitamins available in the market are non-vegetarian, this collaboration highlights the selection of dependable 100% vegetarians in keeping with client values. For dietary supplements that include well being, no prescription is required as they’re authorised by FSSAI and can be found on the counter (OTC),” Chattergy mentioned.
In India, multivitamins are generally out there with OTC. “Nevertheless, prescriptions are important when wanted in a therapeutic dose to deal with a specific defect or situation. Promiscuous use – self-replenishment with out medical steering – may even cover the underlying drawback and trigger hurt,” Chattersee added.
Whereas the sale of multivitamin OTCs in pharmacies is a longtime apply, it isn’t beneficial to promote them at quick meals centres or different retailers not related to healthcare services, docs warn. “Dietary supplements should not snacks, they’re meant to handle gaps in your eating regimen and must be taken properly. Straightforward and unregulated entry can result in misuse and overdose,” the healthcare skilled mentioned.
Revealed – September 20, 2025 08:33 PM IS
