Do We Need Vitamin Supplements

Our body needs various types of vitamins in order to carry out different types of functions in a proper way. They are extremely important nutrients that keep our body going. We can have these vitamins from various sources. There are sufficient quantities of vitamins in foods we eat. But many people use vitamin supplements on a regular basis as source of their required vitamins. The question is: do we need vitamin supplements at all when a well-planned diet can supply us all the vitamins and minerals we need?

In most cases, the answer is in the negative. A big percentage of vitamin or mineral supplement users just waste their efforts and money in an unnecessary, sometimes even risky, exercise. So, it is sensible to obtain your required vitamins and minerals as much as possible by following a well-chosen diet comprising a variety of nutritious foods. Over-reliance on vitamin or mineral supplements can prove to be harmful because all the required nutrients may not be present there. In addition, if one uses these vitamin supplements carelessly, the fat soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K that are stored in the body, may reach toxic levels.

In fact, all vitamins and minerals are potentially toxic if ingested in considerably big quantities. Safe intake levels are different for different nutrients. The level of use depends also on age and health to a large extent. Excessive intake of vitamin and mineral supplements can affect the normal metabolism of other nutrients and also with the therapeutic effects of certain medications. Overdose of a certain supplement may cause deficiency of another nutrient. Abnormal quantity of any one nutrient disturbs the balance that should exist between all of them. Among the water soluble vitamins, excessive use of B3 (niacin) causes liver toxicity, too much of C and B6 (pyridoxine) can lead to red blood cell hemolysis and nervous system toxicity respectively. One should be careful of those so-called “super" supplements, which may really prove harmful.

People usually take vitamin or mineral supplements because they miss a diet which could provide them with the necessary vitamins, or follow lifestyles that cause deficiency of certain vitamins. But the advantage of getting vitamins from foods is that they usually come in appropriate proportions.

However, the use of vitamin supplements sometimes becomes unavoidable because of medical reasons. People with certain medical problems are forced to use them. For example, women with excessive menstrual bleeding may require iron supplements. Women who are expecting or breastfeeding need additional quantities of certain nutrients, iron, folic acid and calcium in particular. Those with very low calorie intakes often follow a diet plan that does not meet their requirements of nutrients.

Strict vegetarians (no eggs) or vegans (no eggs or dairy products) may often be deprived of receiving adequate calcium, iron, zinc and Vitamin B12 through food. Some diseases, disorders or drugs may interfere with nutrient intake, digestion, absorption, metabolism or excretion, and thus change requirements. As older people cannot chew properly and have a problem consuming a balanced diet, they may use vitamin or mineral supplements to get all the nutrients.

So using vitamin or mineral supplements can be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary on medical grounds.

• Matt Thompson
• 08/04/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments