The answer the question is “it depends”.  You would not need to take vitamins or other supplements in order to be healthy if you eat a balanced diet, which includes foods from each of the major food groups, every day.  If you do this, then there should not be any need for you to take vitamins or supplements. 

The reason is that our bodies require essential vitamins and minerals every day in order for you to be fit and healthy—in essence, for your body to work properly.  The reason vitamins are essential to your overall health is seen through your hair, nails and muscles, specifically in how each of these grows and develops.  Vitamins also affect your eye sight, how you digest your food, as well as affecting the health of your heart and nervous system.

The only time that vitamins or supplements should be taken is when you need extra help in attaining the amount of vitamins you need.  Otherwise, with a daily balanced diet, you should receive the amounts your body requires in order to be healthy. 

There are a few things to consider if you are not eating a balanced diet and do require extra vitamins and supplements to help you get the balance your body needs.  First, it is important to know how much your body actually needs before you start pumping it full of vitamins.  Exceeding the daily amounts could be potentially harmful as different ages require different amounts of vitamins and minerals per day.

Next, it is important to know how to take supplements, such as if they are not taken properly, then the supplements can actually be flushed out of your system without having been absorbed.  Ensure to read the label prior to taking the supplement and take as directed.

Finally, for people with special medical conditions or those on special diets, it is advised to seek the advice of your doctor prior to taking any sort of supplements.