Vitamin Supplements ? A Pill is Not Always the Answer

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

---

ImmunPlex: Highest Quality Natural Whey

ImmunPlex? is an undenatured whey protein isolate that contains many... Read More

Can Vitamin E Cure Almost Everything?

Vitamin E is an absolutely vital nutrient in your body,... Read More

Reviving Vitamin E Studies That Challenge Claims of Wonder Supplement Also Leave Openings

The last year hasn't been a good one for vitamin... Read More

Creatine: More than a Sports Nutrition Supplement

Although creatine offers an array of benefits, most people think... Read More

Recommended Supplements for Weight Loss

There is a lot of confusion about weight loss supplementation,... Read More

Physical Activity and Supplements Found to Increase HDL Cholesterol Levels

Much of what we hear and read in the media... Read More

Selenium Can Lift Your Spirits

In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture... Read More

Supplements ? How To Take Them

It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find... Read More

Amino Acid Usage ? How You Can Benefit

Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More

The Best Liquid Calcium with Boron

Best liquid calcium with boronNo longer is the search for... Read More

The Vitamin Companies Don?t Want You To Know

Do you ever find yourself asking any or all of... Read More

Increase Your Production Of Nitric Oxide

What Is Nitric Oxide (NO)?Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by... Read More

A Guide to Herbal Sleep Aids

Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More

What Are Nutraceuticals and Why Are the Drug Companies Upset?

If you break the word apart, Nutra has to do... Read More

Take Back Your Life

It seems today that for every mood swing, inconvenient behavior,... Read More

Kanhaiya Amla Powder

AMLA ( EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ) FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTYAMLA, proudly... Read More

Do You Need Glyconutrients?

With all of the exciting things people are seeing in... Read More

Take Back Your Life 2

In part one of this series, titled "Take Back Your... Read More

Health Benefits of Taking Spirulina Daily - Real Health Part 5

As I mentioned in Part 4 of my Real Health... Read More

Vitamin - Essential Nutrients for Health

Vitamins are the stars of the nutrition scene. Nutrition, the... Read More

Supplements, Diet and Exercise for Healthy Aging

Recently a television health expert was discussing the topic, "How... Read More

What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea is available commercially as a supplement and rhodiola... Read More

How To Choose a Glyconutrient Supplement

This article provides three easy tips for selecting a quality... Read More

Vitamins In Our Daily Lives

Vitamins is something people been using for a while and... Read More

Tips on Taking Colostrum

When selecting a brand of Colostrum, you should be sure... Read More

Lipovarin Review: How Well Does It Work?

Lipovarin ReviewSince the ban on ephedra based products in April... Read More

Taste is Everything When Choosing a Protein Bar

As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Lysine

Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be... Read More

Importance of Vitamin Supplementation

Vitamin supplement - why is it important?Vitamin supplement or supplements... Read More

What is HGH?

Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More

Is Ephedra a Miracle Cure?

Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More

Havent Heard of the Acai Berry Yet?

You've probably been eating blueberries since you were a little... Read More

Keeping Tabs on Niacin

Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up... Read More