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Vitamin supplements ? A pill is not always the answer
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Author: Marc Lindsay
Topic: Health
Viewed: 77 time(s)
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Vitamins 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 that may
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 believed that
taking massive or ?mega-doses? of various vitamins will 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 proven Vitamins from food
are best
Research indicates that most of the vitamins you get from the
food you eat are better than those contained in pills. Even
though the vitamins in supplements are synthesized to the exact
chemical composition of naturally occurring vitamins, 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 selected
Research has shown that a food component that has a particular
effect on the body when present in food may not have 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 diet
A short term measure
Taking 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 may need
to constantly supplement your vitamin intake as you will 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 routine
Specific medical conditions that can benefit from vitamin
supplementation
There are specific medical conditions that are known to benefit
from certain vitamin supplementation. In this case it is
recommended that you consult your doctor first and then if you
are searching for a vitamin supplement ensure that 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 multivitamins
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 multivitamins and mineral supplements by the
elderly could improve immune function and thus reduce infectious
disease, potentially cutting in half the total number of days
they are sick.
?Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D could reduce the
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-oriented approach 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 multivitamin would benefit most people,
different additional supplements should be chosen based on the
specific lifestage, 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.
Points to remember when looking at Vitamin 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 pregnant and
lactating women, people who consume alcohol in amounts over
those recommended as safe, drug users and the elderly.
?When taking vitamins try to take a natural brand that follows
all of the FDA guidelines.
About the author:
Marc Lindsay runs and operates a natural vitamin
supplements | herbal supplements | Nutritional Supplements
information site. For information on vitamin and herbal
supplementation please visit Vitamin
Supplement Information
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