vitaminer

Vitaminer is a term in nutrition discourse used to describe a person who regularly takes vitamin supplements, or, less commonly, a marketed product designed to supply vitamins. The word combines vitamin with the agent noun suffix -er, echoing terms such as runner or driver. It is not a formal medical or regulatory category and appears mainly in informal writing, consumer health discussions, and marketing materials.

In practice, a vitaminer may refer to an individual who chooses to supplement their diet with vitamins to address perceived gaps, age-related needs, or specific health concerns. Scientific guidance on routine vitamin supplementation for otherwise healthy individuals is mixed; evidence for broad health benefits is limited, and high-dose intake can be unsafe. While supplementation can prevent or correct deficiencies, excessive amounts of certain vitamins—particularly fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K—can cause toxicity, and some supplements may interact with medications.

Regulatory oversight of vitamins and other dietary supplements varies by country. In many jurisdictions products are regulated as foods or dietary supplements rather than medicines, with labeling and safety standards that do not require pre-market proof of efficacy. Health claims are restricted and must be substantiated; manufacturers bear responsibility for safety and accurate labeling.

See also: dietary supplement; hypervitaminosis; vitamin deficiency.