Nowadays it’s nearly impossible to find the necessary level of nutrients in our food alone. The Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamins was established during the First World War when food supplies were limited and concerns about vitamin deficiency-related diseases ran high. RDIs were established to ensure that Americans received the minimum vitamins necessary to ward off diseases such as scurvy. Multivitamins level the playing field of good health. A food-based multivitamin will contain all of the vitamins and minerals that should be a part of your regular diet and fill in the gaps where your diet falls short. Multivitamins do not replace healthy eating, but rather they supplement an already healthy diet.