What Are the Benefits of Centrum Multivitamin?

Multivitamins are among the most commonly used dietary supplements in the United States. These vitamins can contribute to a person's total intake of certain vitamins and minerals, which is a plus if that person doesn't eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Centrum is one brand of multivitamin, and the manufacturer offers formulations for adults in general, as well as formulations made specifically for women or men. Ask your doctor whether one of these blends is right for you before adding one to your daily routine.

A bottle of multivitamin's spilling onto a table. (Image: milosducati/iStock/Getty Images)

Types of Vitamins

The adult blend of Centrum multivitamin contains 100 percent of the daily value for several key vitamins, including vitamins C, D and E, as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid. That same multivitamin also supplies 70 percent of the daily value for vitamin A and 31 percent of the daily value for vitamin K. The Centrum multivitamin for women supplies 200 percent of the daily value for vitamin D, as well as 100 percent of the daily value for folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12. A Centrum multivitamin for men delivers 100 percent of the daily value for vitamins B-6 and B-12, but only supplies half of the daily value for folic acid. Both the men's and women's multivitamins supply a portion of the daily value for vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.

Mineral Content

While the adult and men's Centrum multivitamins supply about 20 percent of the daily value for calcium, the women's multivitamin delivers 50 percent of the daily value. The adult and women's Centrum multivitamins each supply 100 percent of the daily value for iron, and the men's multivitamin delivers 44 percent of the daily value. All three of the multivitamins supply 100 percent of the daily value for iodine, and the women and men's multivitamins contains 25 percent of the daily value for magnesium. All three of the multivitamins deliver a portion of the daily value for potassium, zinc and copper, as well.

Benefits of Centrum Multivitamins

The adult Centrum multivitamin is the No. 1 doctor-recommended multivitamim, according to the Centrum website. The 125 percent daily value for vitamin C and the 117 percent daily value for vitamin E in a Centrum multivitamin for women help support skin, hair and nail health. The Centrum multivitamin for men contains 150 percent of the daily value for vitamins C and E, which can help protect a man's body from physical stress, according to the Centrum website. The B vitamins in both the women's and the men's Centrum multivitamin help convert food to energy and promote a healthy metabolism.

Research and Considerations

The best way to get all of the nutrients you need is to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, according to the MedlinePlus website. Multivitamins, including Centrum brands, can help fill in the gaps if you're deficient in certain nutrients, and some experts recommend that you take one even if you're otherwise healthy. In fact, a 2002 review published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" suggests taking a daily multivitamin to increase nutrient intake and help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. A 2012 study published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association" notes that for men specifically, taking a multivitamin can cut the risk of several types of cancer. Don't start taking Centrum multivitamins without speaking to your doctor first, however, to determine whether they're right for your health.