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 spinal 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 life stage, 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 selecting 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.
Marc Lindsay runs and operates a natural vitamin supplements | herbal supplements information site.
For information on vitamin and herbal supplementation please visit vitamin supplements | herbal supplements | nutritional supplements
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWhen looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy... Read More
Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies use, in very... Read More
Vitamin supplement - why is it important?Vitamin supplement or supplements... Read More
A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More
Is there an alternative to statin drugs such as Lipitor... Read More
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid plays a supporting role in... Read More
Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More
Many of you are probably aware that The American Medical... Read More
The growing numbers of health conscious people today living more... Read More
Tribulus terrestris is a herb that comes from a plant... Read More
"They", the "experts" all say how important vitamins are -... Read More
Most people understand the concept of vitamin and mineral supplementation,... Read More
A fat burner supplement operates by breaking down body fat... Read More
Herbal supplements have become hugely popular over the years, and... Read More
The initial success of penicillin generated an assumption which has... Read More
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body... Read More
Sometimes I ask myself why this wonderful antioxidant supplement was... Read More
Your Immune system Needs BalanceTaking an immune system supplement daily... Read More
There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
Biological oxidation involves transferring electrons from one oxygen molecule to... Read More
Weight Lifting Supplement ? what is it?The term "weight lifting... Read More
The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals... Read More
Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More
Proper nutrition is fundamental to optimizing your health. By eating... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..If you're constantly digging your hand into a jar of... Read More
Colloidal Silver might just be a wonderful thing and here's... Read More
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body... Read More
Vitamin C may be the most famous vitamin. Tens of... Read More
Free radicals and oxyradicals play an important role in the... Read More
The malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass system prohibits adequate... Read More
How many pills do you have to take every morning?... Read More
If you break the word apart, Nutra has to do... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
There is a lot of confusion about weight loss supplementation,... Read More
There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More
In September 2004 Orange County, California published an article "OC... Read More
GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More
Glyconutrients- the latest development in the health industry. What are... Read More
You've probably been eating blueberries since you were a little... Read More
Is there an alternative to statin drugs such as Lipitor... Read More
Don't be overwhelmed by this big word, ... Read More
There are a number of pros and cons for vitamin... Read More
ImmunPlex? is an undenatured whey protein isolate that contains many... Read More
The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More
We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and... Read More
I finally bought the stuff. I couldn't resist anymore. After... Read More
The multi-vitamin market is rich with choice. It's also very... Read More
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |