Do you actually need to take supplements?
Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements and can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium and vitamin C, are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly.
Why we should not use supplements?
Many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects in the body. This could make them unsafe in some situations and hurt or complicate your health. For example, the following actions could lead to harmful – even life-threatening – consequences.
Who needs a supplement?
Those with certain medical conditions People with certain medical conditions — such as celiac disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, and anorexia — are more likely to develop nutrient deficiencies, including B vitamins ( 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ).
What are the disadvantages of taking supplements?
Taking more than you need costs more and might also raise your risk of side effects. For example, too much vitamin A can cause headaches and liver damage, reduce bone strength, and cause birth defects. Excess iron causes nausea and vomiting and may damage the liver and other organs.
What happens if you don’t take supplements?
There are now strong links between low intakes of particular nutrients and the risk of developing chronic disease including some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. During pregnancy, insufficient nutrient intake can have long-term health implications for the health of the child.
Do vitamins actually do anything?
If you take a multivitamin, it’s probably because you want to do everything you can to protect your health. But there is still limited evidence that a daily cocktail of essential vitamins and minerals actually delivers what you expect. Most studies find no benefit from multivitamins in protecting the brain or heart.
Are supplements just a waste of money?
Unless you have special conditions, taking supplements probably is just a waste of money. And in some cases, it might even backfire. If you aren’t feeling well, talk to your doctor first instead of spending money on popular supplements, for example, multivitamins.
Is a multivitamin necessary?
Are Multivitamins necessary? Most experts agree that normal, healthy adults who eat a balanced diet have no need for a multivitamin. Taking a daily multivitamin doesn’t pose much of a risk for most people, but they often use it as an insurance policy for a bad diet.
Are vitamins worth taking?
Multivitamins are not a ticket to optimal health. In fact, evidence that they improve health for most people is inconsistent. In some cases, they may even cause harm. If you have a nutrient deficiency, it’s best to supplement with that specific nutrient.