When you eat a healthy diet and get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, there’s no need for vitamin supplements. However, for various reasons (which we’ll discuss later in this article) sometimes it’s not possible to get what your body needs from diet alone. That’s when these dietary supplements can come in handy. This article presents a general overview of supplements, what they can do for you, and when you might want to take them to boost your brain and body.
Vitamins are organic compounds that the body needs in small amounts to perform essential functions. There are two types of vitamins: water soluble and fat soluble. The water soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) dissolve in water and are easily excreted from the body if you take too much. The fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the body’s fatty tissues and can build up to toxic levels if you take too much.
There are many different types of vitamin supplements on the market, and it can be confusing to know which ones to take and when. The following is a general guide to taking supplements:
Supplements can treat health conditions
Some people might think that supplements are only for people who have nutritional deficiencies. This is not true. Supplements can treat your minor or long term conditions such as memory loss and depression. However, these treatments also come with rules that you must follow if you are going to treat your health conditions properly. Whatever the conditions you have, you can find the right supplements if you ask your doctor.
Speak with your doctor before starting any supplement regimen
Tell your doctor what you’re interested in getting out of supplementation, and get a list of supplements that would be advisable for you. Your doctor will know the best way to get each nutrient into your system, and which medications you can take along with it.
Some people think that because supplements are natural, they’re safe. This isn’t always the case. Herbal supplements can have powerful effects on the body, and some can even be dangerous. So it’s important to tell your doctor about any supplements you’re taking, whether they’re vitamins, minerals, or herbs.
Your doctor can help you figure out if there are any interactions between the supplements and medications you’re already taking. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor can help you figure out the best time to start taking supplements.
Follow the dosage instructions
Most supplements have dosage instructions on the label, so it’s important to pay attention and understand what you should do. Pay special attention to how many pills or drops of a liquid supplement must be taken per day and when they should be taken. Most supplements last three months or less, so if you don’t follow the directions, you’ll need to reorder sooner than you expect.
It’s important to understand if a supplement has a specific dosage per pill or if you should take more than one pill, but never exceed the number of pills specified on the bottle. If you don’t pay attention to this detail, you might end up taking too much and experiencing severe side effects that you never expected.
Take your supplements with food
Vitamin supplements are not meant to cure ailments. They are made to supplement the body with what is lacking in nutrients. If there is nothing wrong with your diet, you may not need supplements at all.
Stomach acids can alter or break down the chemical structure of pills making them inactive. This means that they will be processed as waste by the body without providing any health benefits.
Don’t take supplements if you have allergic reactions
Most of the supplements contain some substances that could be allergic to you. The most common allergen is vitamin C. So, if you have allergies to certain foods or any kind of environmental features, don’t take Vitamin C supplements and check for other vitamins as well.
Once your body gets used to a supplement, it will no longer treat it as a foreign substance. If you are currently taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications, check with your doctor to see if there are any interactions between the supplements and the medications.
If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before taking any supplements
Many supplements are not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, as they can be harmful to the baby. If you are taking prescription medications, consult your doctor before taking any supplements. Some supplements can interfere with the effects of prescription medications.
Do not take more than the recommended dosage of any supplement. Excess amounts of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful. Be sure to read the label of any supplement you take. Supplements can vary in terms of dosage and the ingredients they contain.
There are so many types of vitamins and minerals on the market now, how do you know which supplements are good for you? If you want to take vitamin supplements without hurting your health, make sure to follow these six important rules.