Vitamins and dietary supplements have great benefits, so it’s tempting to grab one off the shelf at your grocery store or pharmacy.
Before taking any vitamin or supplement, however, you should consult your doctor. Your physician will set up a blood test to determine which nutrients you may lack and recommend a vitamin or supplement for you to take based on the results.
You should be aware that taking large doses of certain vitamins or minerals can have a negative effect on your body. Communicate regularly with your doctor about any supplements you take, how often you take them, and your dosage amount.
Facts about vitamins
A vitamin is a natural substance normally found in food. Vitamins can come in a variety of forms—liquid, powder, pill, or gummy. There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.
Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins (B-12, niacin, riboflavin), do not remain in the body’s system for a long time. These vitamins are excreted through urine, so they need daily replenishment.
Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, and E, can be stored in your body. Taking too much of a fat-soluble vitamin can lead to hypervitaminosis, or too much vitamin in the body.
Facts about dietary supplements
Dietary supplements are not substitutes for nutrients you receive from food. They are products with one or more ingredients, including chemicals, vitamins, or amino acids, that seek to target a specific medical need. For example, pregnant women often take prenatal vitamins to supplement nutrients their bodies need throughout the pregnancy.
Dietary supplements come in many forms, and they can be used to help with weight loss; hair, skin and nail issues; and more. Dietary supplements are not meant to cure ailments.