Four Essential Facts on Vitamin Supplements - Who Needs Them and Who Does Not

Four Essential Facts on Vitamin Supplements - Who Needs Them and Who Does Not

The human body needs essential vitamins to stay healthy and energetic and to fulfill its daily functions. These vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients are usually provided by a balanced diet. Food is considered as the major source of these essential nutrients since the body does not produce these natural substances by itself. Experts have narrowed down the list of the vitamins needed for our body to thirteen. Each of these essential vitamins has its own function to play in the general health of the body. They play a crucial role in digestion, reproduction and in the growth and repair of body cells.

Shortfall
If you are on a diet and as a result you are not taking a complete and balanced meal, you can take vitamin supplements to complement your regular food intake. By taking supplements, you can still get the necessary nutrients that you lack because of your diet. However, you should not solely rely on these for the essential nutrients needed by the body. Taking vitamin supplements is highly advisable for those individuals who do not or who cannot eat enough healthy foods or a variety of nutritious foods. Vegetarians and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are some of those who are advised to take vitamin supplements because of their specific dietary needs.

Replenish
If you consume 1,600 calories or less in a day, then you should start taking vitamin supplements. In addition, postmenopausal women and women with heavy a menstrual period are also likely to need vitamin supplements. A person should also take vitamin supplements if he or she has undergone surgery on the digestive tract or has digestive or excretory problems.

Safety
Before you take any supplement, you should first consult your physician or dietitian. Because some vitamin supplements may have side effects and may not work well with other medications or supplements, you should ask for advice from a medical professional such as your physician or dietitian on whether a particular vitamin supplement would be appropriate for you or not.

Storage
Make sure that you also read the labels carefully. You can check on the ingredients of the supplement, what nutrients are present, what is the recommended serving size, and how many nutrients can be provided by a single serving. Supplements with mega doses should be avoided. Make sure that the supplement is certified by credible testing organizations such as the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. Check the date for expiration. Make sure that the supplement is not yet expired. Vitamin supplements should be stored in a cool and dry place. Hot and humid locations are not advisable for storage. Make sure that the supplements are also out of reach of the children.

Food should not be replaced with vitamin supplements as the primary source of the essential nutrients. Not all of the nutrients needed by our body to perform its daily functions can be effectively replicated by supplements. Whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are still considered as superior sources of nutrients. In addition, taking food supplements should not be necessary for a generally healthy individual who regularly eats a wide variety of healthy foods.