Are multi-vitamins as good as getting usual/needed nutrients from food? i take centrum advantage/pharmacy brand depending on cost.

Multivitamins: Overall, multivitamins have not really shown to be of much benefit in terms of reducing risk of degenerative diseases.A good diet uses gives you all you need.However, you may need certain components as supplements , which are useful, for example vitamin d and some antioxidants.

Supplements: No, multivitamins are only a supplement to a healthy diet, not a substitute for it. That's why they're called "supplements.".