Vitamin preparations as dietary supplements and as therapeutic agents. Council on Scientific Affairs
Healthy adult men and healthy adult nonpregnant, nonlactating women
consuming a usual, varied diet do not need vitamin supplements. Infants may
need dietary supplements at given times, as may pregnant and lactating
women. Occasionally, vitamin supplements may be useful for people with
unusual life styles or modified diets, including certain weight reduction
regimens and strict vegetarian diets. Vitamins in therapeutic amounts may
be indicated for the treatment of deficiency states, for pathologic
conditions in which absorption and utilization of vitamins are reduced or
requirements increased, and for certain nonnutritional disease processes.
The decision to employ vitamin preparations in therapeutic amounts clearly
rests with the physician. The importance of medical supervision when such
amounts are administered is emphasized. Therapeutic vitamin mixtures should
be so labeled and should not be used as dietary supplements.
