Vitamin supplements

Vitamin supplements, along with many other types of health supplements, have become increasingly popular in recent years. This is partly due to an increased awareness of health matters and partly due to an increase in the availability of health supplements.

Are vitamin supplements necessary?

Vitamins are essential for good health as most vitamins cannot be made by the body and therefore eating certain foods is the only means of taking in the vitamins the body needs.

For some people, taking vitamin supplements is beneficial but for most people, taking additional supplements is unnecessary. For most of us, a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables will provide all the vitamins we need, however in some cases, if an individual is not getting all the vitamins they need from their diet, vitamin supplements may be recommended.

Many experts are worried that people are becoming reliant on vitamin supplements, rather than taking the time to think about their diet. Some people assume that they are healthy because they take a variety of supplements but it is actually much healthier to eat a balanced, healthy diet because many foods, such as fruits and vegetables, contain other ingredients, including anti-oxidants, that are beneficial for the body.

Who can benefit from vitamin supplements?

Generally, vitamin supplements are not recommended for everyone because you should be able to get all the vitamins you need from your diet; however, in some circumstances, taking vitamin supplements can be beneficial:

●     If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should take folic acid (vitamin B9) supplements to help to reduce the risk of the baby being born with birth defects, such as Spina Bifida. Vitamin D supplements are also recommended for pregnant woman and mothers who are breastfeeding

●     If you are aged 65 or over you may wish to consider taking vitamin D supplements

●     Young children (aged between 6 months and 5 years old) should be given vitamin A, C and D supplements to help their growth and development, this is particularly important if the child is a fussy eater.

●     If you have problems that affect your appetite or health conditions that affect your ability to eat for example, of you have dental issues which mean you cannot eat certain foods for a period of time.

Advice for taking vitamin supplements

If you do decide to start taking vitamin supplements, ask a pharmacist or your doctor for advice before you start the course, always read the labels and stick to the guidelines and recommended dosage.

Is taking too much of a vitamin harmful?

Taking excessive doses of vitamins can be harmful so it is advisable to stick to recommended doses and always read the labels on bottles and containers. In most cases, taking in too much of a vitamin will not be serious but it may contribute to unpleasant symptoms such as stomach upset.