How to Know if You Need Vitamin
Supplements
by Jeff Matson
Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is perhaps one of the
most controversial issues regarding healthy living. The lack of
vitamins in your diet can be unhealthy, but too many vitamins
can also put your health in danger. So, how do you know
if taking vitamin and mineral supplements is necessary for you?
Ask yourself the following questions in order to determine if
you may need vitamin supplementation for a healthier
lifestyle:
- Am I Stressed? If you are constantly
stressed-out due to work, relationships, family or any
other situation, your adrenal glands may be working
overtime. This can potentially cause fatigue and
headaches.
Treatment: Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin E and Vitamin
C supplements can help with this problem.
- Is My Immune System Up to Par? Do you constantly
find yourself catching colds and the flu more frequently
than others? You may need to boost your immune system with
vitamins and minerals which provide the nutrients needed to
fight these viruses.
Treatment: Vitamin C supplement, Zinc and Manganese
will do the trick.
- Do I smoke? I'm sure you're aware that this
habit is unhealthy but smoking uses up vitamin C and puts
you at higher risk of osteoporosis.
Treatment: Vitamin C supplements and calcium
supplements will help reduce your chances of osteoporosis
and provide you with the adequate amount of vitamin C.
- Am I Pregnant? Pregnant and hormonal women often
lack in vitamin B-6. If you do not receive enough of this
vitamin it can be harmful to you and your baby.
Treatment: Take a vitamin B-6 supplement, but make
sure not to take doses of more than 500mg per day without a
Doctor's recommendation.
- Am I on a Diet? If you are on a low-carb,
low-fat or any form of diet you are probably not receiving
the vitamins necessary for healthy living. Individuals on
diets very rarely eat foods from all the major food groups
and if they do, they usually do not eat the required
amounts.
Treatment: Depending on the type of diet and the
foods you eat, you may require a multi-vitamin supplement
or specific supplements of Vitamin A, B, C, D, E or
K.
Answering yes to any of the questions above does not
necessarily mean that vitamin or mineral supplements are
crucial to healthy living. The situations listed above are
merely a guideline to help individuals who already feel as
though they are lacking the vitamins and minerals in their
diets. It is important to remember that vitamin supplements are
meant to accompany food and are in no way meant as a
replacement for a healthy diet.
Health-related information changes frequently, and while every
attempt has been made to ensure the content in this article is
up to date and accurate, you should always check with a doctor
or nutritional expert before undertaking any substantial change
in diet or lifestyle.
About the Author
Jeff Matson is an avid health enthusiast who owned and
operated his own natural health food store. Now retired, Jeff
spends his time keeping fit, and writing articles as a
contributing editor for http://www.vitamin-insight.com - a site
that offers information on vitamins like Vitamin
C and other vitamin supplements.
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