Vitamin supplements - A pill is not always
the answer
Vitamin supplements - A pill is not always the
answerCopyright 2005 Marc LindsayVitamins are
organic compounds that our bodies use, in very
small amounts, for a variety of metabolic processes.Taking
vitamins 'just in case' is not a habit that anyone
should get into and it is always recommended that
vitamins are taken through wholesome and quality
food.There are many different reasons and types
of people thatmay want or need to take supplements,
some of these may include, some vegetarians, people
who drink large amounts of alcohol, drug users,
athletic people, pregnant and lactating women
and elderly people.
Are you using Vitamins and
Minerals like medicine pills?There seems to be
a trend occurring where it is believedthat taking
massive or "mega-doses" of various vitaminswill
work like medicine to cure certain conditions.
For example, vitamin C has been thought of as
a cure for the common cold for generations and
in fact you were probably even told this by your
mother at some stage.
Despite extensive research on this it has yet
to be provenVitamins from food are bestResearch
indicates that most of the vitamins you get fromthe
food you eat are better than those contained in
pills.Even though the vitamins in supplements
are synthesized tothe exact chemical composition
of naturally occurringvitamins, they still don't
seem to work as well.
For this reason when selecting
a vitamin supplement it is important that a natural
vitamin supplement is selectedResearch has shown
that a food component that has aparticular effect
on the body when present in food may nothave the
same effect when it is isolated and taken as a
supplement. This could be because the vitamins
and minerals in foods are also influenced by other
components of the food, not just the 'active ingredient'.Food
is a complex source of vitamins, minerals and
phytochemicals, which all work together. Supplements
tend to work in isolation. Phytochemicals (plant
chemicals) are an important component of food.
They are thought to reduce the incidence of cancer
and heart disease. Supplements do not provide
the benefits of phytochemicals and other components
found in food. Taking vitamin supplements is no
substitute for a varied dietA short term measureTaking
vitamin supplements should be viewed as a short
term measure. The long term use of supplements
can lead to symptoms of overdosing or poisoning.
If you feel that you could be lacking in certain
vitamins and minerals, it may be better to look
at changing your diet and lifestyle rather than
reaching for supplements.
This being said if you
are a highly active person you mayneed to constantly
supplement your vitamin intake as youwill be using
your sources much quicker then the average person.
You should always consult you doctor if you are
thinking of starting a vitamin supplement routineSpecific
medical conditions that can benefit from vitamin
supplementationThere are specific medical conditions
that are known tobenefit from certain vitamin
supplementation. In this caseit is recommended
that you consult your doctor first andthen if
you are searching for a vitamin supplement ensurethat
you are using a natural well formulated supplement.
Recent scientific studies have outlined some
specific areas that can benefit largely from vitamin
supplementation. These are:. If all women of childbearing
age used multi vitamins with folic acid, it should
be possible to reduce the current incidence of
neural tube birth defects like spina bifida by
as much as 70%.. The routine use of multi vitamins
and mineral supplementsby the elderly could improve
immune function and thusreduce infectious disease,
potentially cutting in half the total number of
days they are sick.. Supplementation with calcium
and vitamin D could reducethe rate of hip fracture
among older people by at least 20%-meaning 40,000
to 50,000 fewer hip fractures each year in the
United States-for an average annual savings of
$1.5 to $2 billion.. The potential cost savings
of a prevention-orientedapproach to health and
diet are tremendous.
A 1997 analysis predicted that if the occurrence
of cardiovascular disease, stroke and hip fracture
were delayed five years, total U.S. health care
cost savings could equal $89 billion annually..
While the addition of a multi vitamin would benefit
most people, different additional supplements
should be chosen based on the specific life stage,
gender or lifestyle of the individual. For example,
though calcium is generally important for all
men and women, it is particularly critical for
children building bone mass and elderly people
seeking to preserve it.
Things to remember when
taking supplements. Vitamins are organic compounds
used by the body in small amounts for various
metabolic processes.. Vitamin supplements can't
replace a healthy diet.. Those who may need vitamin
supplements include pregnantand lactating women,
people who consume alcohol in amountsover those
recommended as safe, drug users and the elderly..
When taking vitamins try to take a natural brand
thatfollows all of the FDA guidelines.
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