Older adults often fail to get the amounts and types of food necessary to meet essential nutritional needs, leading to physiological and psychological changes.

A 2002 report by two Harvard researchers Drs Fletcher and Fairfield, cited the evidence for the benefits of all adults taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement is increasing.

The study prompted the US Consumer Health Care to commission a study outlining the economic benefits to governments where they provided adult populations with multivitamins.

Estimates are that the US government could save up to US$1.6 billion over five years, concluding that elderly patients taking daily multivitamins is a cost-effective way to improve and maintain their health.

Australian researcher Chris Oliver says that it would be prudent for our government to commission its own study, given that the PBS (pharmaceutical benefits scheme) costs Australians $5 billion each and every year.

Doctors often say that taking vitamins is not necessary if people eat a good diet. At the same time, wide ranges of health supplements are readily available - and people are taking them.

Why? People want to feel better than they do, and think they can get a supplement that might help.

Self-diagnosing and prescribing is recommended for short-term health problems only.

Self-prescribing for ongoing health problems does not often lead to a successful outcome.

Finding out what the problem is behind the health problem, is key to a good outcome.

Low energy, for example, may be due to low iron levels, easily identified through a blood test.

Another reason for poor energy may be poor diet.

When you gain energy and wellbeing from taking a multivitamin, it indicates your diet could improve.

I have seen many patients' health improve dramatically by simply taking a multivitamin, which is indicative that their nutrient status is below par.

While a healthy diet is preferable, taking a nutritional supplement is preferable to a poor diet without nutritional supplementation.

If you saw the ABC's Four Corner's program on the quality control of the supplements industry, you may be wondering how good the vitamins in your cupboard are.

If your supplement was individually prescribed by a health professional, and purchased from a reputable company it's quality is assured.

Over The Counter (OTC) supplements are purchased on the assumption that "because they are nutritional supplements and natural, they must be safe".

Sales of OTC supplements are growing and the market is competitive. Purchasing cheap supplements may not deliver the desired health benefits and people should beware of cheap supplements and those purchased online.

There is so much research confirming the benefits of taking multivitamins regularly.

Professor Jasper Rine from the University of California at Berkeley says that they may even improve genetic health, by keeping DNA in good shape.

Taken in the recommended dosage on the bottle, good quality supplements are a cheap, easy way of looking after yourself.

Nothing replaces the benefits of a healthy diet of whole grains, meat, eggs, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables and minimal processed foods.

However, longer working hours and busy lifestyles lead to a departure from regular grocery shopping and cooking at home.

I often say to my patients to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement during busy periods when they may not be eating properly.

When their diet improves they don't need to take a supplement.

Taking vitamins and minerals does not have a curative effect on established illnesses.

Instead, they are cited in studies as good habits to help prevent premature ageing and degenerative diseases.

If you take any supplement on a long-term basis, having a nutritional assessment from a health professional to assess the need for the supplement, is prudent.

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