Multiple vitamin/mineral supplement. The minimum amount of an essential nutrient necessary in the diet to meet metabolic needs and prevent symptoms of deficiency varies within a normal range among individuals. It also varies significantly under certain physiological and pathological conditions. In many clinical disorders, the physiological requirement for a nutrient remains constant, but the dietary intake must be increased to accommodate altered gastrointestinal absorption, metabolic utilization, or renal excretion. Clinical disorders that increase the need for nutrients as a result of altered physiological conditions include candidiasis and other infections, chronic stress, and substance abuse.
