Staying healthy is essential for everyone. But as you age, taking care of your body and mind becomes even more critical. Being physically active and following a nutritious diet are two of the best ways to do this.
But sometimes you need multivitamins to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. Can Geritol multivitamins help?
What is Geritol?
People taking supplements like Geritol often wonder, “what is Geritol used for?” Geritol is a trademarked brand name for a complex of vitamins and minerals. It comes in several forms: tablets, liquid, capsules and packets. The solid and liquid form of the supplement is designed to help people get the necessary nutrients, especially when their diet is lacking.
Geritol is also available in special formulations for vegetarians and seniors. Some people take them to help with boosting energy levels. These supplements are available in pharmacies and online.
What is Geritol Used For?
The Geritol multivitamin tablets are a supplement that work by replacing specific vitamins, iron, and folic acid in the body. It also has a stomach absorption substance that facilitates the absorption of the multivitamin.
Here are some of the uses of Geritol tablets.
Helps Deal With Nutrient Deficiency
Getting enough vitamins in your diet is important, as they are essential for good health. However, many people don’t get enough of these nutrients from their diet alone. This can lead to deficiencies, which can cause various health problems.
Geritol is a multivitamin that can help prevent nutrient deficiencies. It contains various vitamins and minerals, including iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. These nutrients are essential for many aspects of health, including producing red blood cells and maintaining a healthy immune system.
Helps with Certain Medical Conditions
In addition to preventing nutrient deficiencies, Geritol may help treat certain medical conditions. For example, it is often used to deal with anemia, a condition where you cannot produce enough red blood cells. Geritol tablets can also be used to treat megaloblastic anemia, a type of anemia that is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12.
Geritol and Pregnancy
It’s essential to have the right amounts of nutrients when trying to conceive or get pregnant. However, no scientific evidence shows that taking Geritol will increase your chances of getting pregnant. Geritol provides iron, folic acid and B vitamins, which are important for overall health.
The brand clarified that they do not make fertility claims, so it’s unknown how the rumor about increasing the chances of getting pregnant started.
Speak with your doctor about potential options if you’re looking for ways to boost your pregnancy chances. It would be best to ask for a prescription from your doctor to ensure you take the correct dosage.
Who Should Take Geritol Multivamin Tables?
People who lack certain nutrients can benefit from taking a supplement like Geritol pills. This includes people who don’t eat a well-balanced diet or those with poor appetites. It can also be helpful for people with changing nutritional needs, such as pregnant women or older adults.
Geritol contains many of the essential nutrients needed for good health. Even though taking these supplements does not replace a healthy diet, they can help fill the small nutritional gaps that many Americans face daily. You have the option of taking the tablet, capsule or liquid form of Geritol.
What are Geritol Multivitamin Ingredients?
Geritol contains several essential vitamins and minerals. It has several main ingredients necessary to help you stay healthy and fit.
Iron
Geritol contains iron to help replenish the body’s stores of this vital mineral. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Iron is also needed for the proper function of muscles and the nervous system.
Thiamine
Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is another crucial ingredient of Geritol. It is an essential vitamin, meaning our bodies cannot produce it, and we must get it from our diet. Thiamine helps the body utilize carbohydrates properly. Although it may be effective in preventing kidney disease, you should avoid using specific brands if you are on dialysis or already have the disease.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin helps the body convert food into fuel. Also known as vitamin B2, the vitamin helps metabolize protein and fat. The vitamin also works as an antioxidant by eliminating damaging particles in the body. It also helps produce red blood cells and transports oxygen to cells.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is another B vitamin in Geritol. It facilitates using amino and fatty acids, which are necessary for energy and metabolism. Vitamin B12 also helps produce new red blood cells and keeps the nervous system functioning properly.
Niacin
Niacin or nicotinic acid is an essential nutrient found in many foods. This water-soluble vitamin plays a vital role in the body by helping to make various hormones in the adrenal glands. Additionally, the vitamin is effective in improving circulation and reducing cholesterol levels.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin essential for normal human growth and development. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water, meaning that excess amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. Humans cannot synthesize this vitamin. So it’s essential to get a suitable supply from other sources, including food and supplements.
Vitamin D
Geritol also has vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium to strengthen the bones. The fat-soluble vitamin also helps regulate cell growth and can reduce inflammation. Additionally, the vitamin plays a role in gene regulation, meaning it can help control how your cells function. These functions are important for overall health, making vitamin D an essential nutrient.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and helps protect cells from free radicals. Free radicals are formed when bodies convert food into energy. This fat-soluble nutrient enhances the immune system to help it fight viruses and bacteria. It also widens blood vessels and prevents blood clotting while inside the blood vessels.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is important for pregnancy. It helps prevent congenital disabilities in the baby’s brain and spine. All women of childbearing should consume 400 micrograms of folate or folic acid daily, especially if they plan to get pregnant. This reduces the risk of having a baby with a congenital disability when they become pregnant.
Tips When Taking Geritol Tablets
When taking these multivitamins, you consider several tips to avoid mishaps and enhance their effectiveness:
Check the Label or Prescription
You should check the label or your doctor’s prescription. It would be best if you did not use more or less than what is indicated on the label or prescription. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions on the dose you need to take.
Consuming the Different Types of Geritol Multivitamin
Geritol comes in different types, and you should remember the following tips when consuming them.
- Make sure to chew or allow chewable tablets to dissolve before swallowing them.
- Swallow extended-release capsules or tablets whole. Do not break, chew, or crush them.
- You can mix the powder or liquid multivitamin with water or fruit juice. Just follow the directions on the label when mixing it.
- If you are using spray vitamins, spray them on the inside cheek of your mouth. Then wait for 30 seconds before you swallow it.
What are Side Effects of Taking Geritol Pills?
Using Geritol may cause some side effects. If your doctor recommends these vitamins for you, you should follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid side effects, especially if you need to take these vitamins daily.
Minor Side Effects
Some side effects are temporary and disappear after you adjust to the multivitamin. These side effects include an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea.
The iron in the multivitamin can also cause your stool to turn black. But, this is not harmful to you. If these side effects last long or worsen, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Severe Side Effects
While severe allergic reactions are rare, you should get medical help if you see the warning signs. These warnings include symptoms of allergic reactions, including swelling, breathing issues and severe dizziness.
Taking multivitamins, such as Geritol, can offer various health benefits. These supplements’ different vitamins and minerals help improve circulation, reduce cholesterol levels, strengthen bones, enhance the immune system, and prevent congenital disabilities.
Additionally, it’s essential to follow the instructions on the label when taking these vitamins to avoid side effects. If you experience any severe side effects, be sure to consult your doctor immediately.
Why Did They Take Geritol Off the Market?
Geritol vitamin was introduced to the market in the 1950s as an alcohol-based B vitamin and iron tonic. In succeeding years, the product underwent several changes, with the pharmaceutical company being acquired by other drug companies.
The product went through scrutiny after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an investigation in 1959. The investigation revealed that the company’s claims were unfounded and bordered on recklessness, bringing its owner at the time, J. B. Williams Co., to court.
Because Geritol multivitamin ads marketed to people who experienced tiredness symptoms, the FTC wanted the company to disclose that those who felt such symptoms were not necessarily iron deficient. As a result, FTC fined the pharmaceutical company $812,000, reportedly the largest fine at the time.
Although it’s not clear whether the multivitamin was taken off the market; the company was fined and sued over its claims, but no reports indicate it was ever off the market. Geritol even figures in pop culture numerous times.
Is Geritol Multivitamins Still Available?
Yes, Geritol is still available in the market and you may be able to get it online as well. At the grocery store or drugstore, you’ll find the dietary supplement and multivitamin in the vitamins section.
