If you’re planning on taking vitamin and mineral supplements, it helps to do your homework. There are a lot of things to know about supplements before you add them to your daily diet.
Here, we’ll take a look at answers to some of the most common questions about vitamin and mineral supplements.
Who Needs Vitamin and Mineral Supplements?
Vitamin and mineral supplements are often considered something everyone should take. However, if you eat a balanced healthy diet and you’re generally healthy, you might not need them at all.
Supplements are made to provide additional nutrients to those who need them. Deficiencies can be caused by a range of factors including medical conditions. So, when the body isn’t getting enough nutrients, supplements can help. Just remember that they are in no way a replacement for a poor diet.
Are Supplements Regulated?
You’d think that anything you can take for your health would be well regulated. However, when it comes to supplements, that isn’t always the case.
The supplement market isn’t regulated like medications. They can be sold without any actual proof of purity, effectiveness or safety. A recent study has shown that over 500 supplements have been found to contain pharmaceuticals of some kind. These included antidepressants, steroids and weight loss medications.
So, if you do plan on buying supplements, make sure you purchase them from a well-known supplier. Check out reviews too as these will give you a good idea of how effective the supplements are.
Can You Take Too Many?
The answer to this is yes; you can actually take too many vitamin and mineral supplements. While most won’t cause serious harm, some types can even prove fatal when taken in excess. This is something a lot of people are unaware of. There is a common belief that supplements are natural so it’s impossible to overdose on them. However, you need to make sure you are sticking to the daily dietary requirements.
Are They Safe?
Following on from the last point, supplements are largely safe to take. Provided you do buy them from a reliable supplier, you won’t have to worry about any nasty added ingredients. Most people would also find it hard to overdose when following the instructions provided.
However, you still need to be aware of the potential safety risks if you do take them in excess. It is also important to check with your doctor before you take any form of supplements. This is because supplements have been shown to sometimes interact with medications. They can impact how effective the medications are. So, if you were to simply start taking them without consulting with a doctor, they could cause your medication to work incorrectly.
Overall, vitamin and mineral supplements can do wonders for health. However, it’s important not to become too reliant upon them. Instead, it is much better to get the nutrients you need naturally via your diet where possible. You should also do your homework to ensure you know the risks and benefits of each supplement.