What are supplements for?

Dietary supplements, often containing vitamins, are used to ensure that adequate amounts of nutrients are obtained on a daily basis, if optimal amounts of the nutrients cannot be obtained through a varied diet.

 

So can I take a vitamin supplement everyday?

Remember that though vitamins are essential for your wellbeing, taking more than what is essential will not do you any good. A meta-analysis in 2006 suggested that Vitamin A and E supplements not only provide no tangible health benefits for generally healthy individuals, but may actually worsen your health status

 

Are there known issues of supplements?

It is already known that beta-carotene supplements can be harmful in smokers. A few studies seem to indicate that anti oxidant supplements can cause lung cancers in smokers.

 

What are the side effects of vitamin overdose?

At high enough dosages some vitamins cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. However in a study done in 2005, there were 53 ‘major’ disorders reported to be caused by vitamin overdose, many of which were in children under the age of 6.

 

So should I be taking vitamin supplements regularly or not?

Like most issues, the best person to decide that would be your doctor. Discuss with your family physician your diet and lifestyle and your health conditions and let him advice you on supplements. A healthy diet will usually provide all the vitamins that your body needs.

 

What about other supplements?

The side effects and safety profiles vary from supplement to supplement. The other common supplements are protein, calcium and iron supplements. In developing countries, iron deficiency is a very common disorder while lack of calcium is apparent in the post menopausal age group. However there are many causes of such deficiencies and each patient has to be treated by merit and therefore your doctor is the in an ideal position to determine your supplements requirements.