Vitamin Supplements

Who benefits from supplements?

The answer is simple: Everyone. Many of my colleagues will probably want to burn me at the stake for this but there is enough evidence to prove that most people today do not eat a balanced enough diet to get all the vitamins they need. In addition, the fast pace, stress and pollution of modern society result in a greater need for vitamins and other nutrients.

Who should take supplements?

• Women in their fertile years, and especially those who plan to fall pregnant, should preferably take folic acid supplements. A lack of folic acid can result in the baby being born with a neural tube abnormality.
• Pregnant women should take iron, folic acid and calcium supplements.
• People who are at risk for osteoporosis and those who already have it should take calcium. This is also important for anyone who has too few dairy products and other calcium-containing foods in their daily diet.
• Vegetarians and their children, especially those who also do not eat milk or egg products, should take vitamin B, iron and other supplements. Babies of vegetarian mothers who are still being breastfed are especially in danger of developing a serious deficiency.
• The elderly should always take a multivitamin supplement containing amino acids, minerals and antioxidants. Their appetite and eating habits often leave a lot to be desired and this malnutrition can lead to deficiencies and physical debilitation. Dementia and other forms of forgetfulness are sometimes the result of a deficiency of vitamin B12. Increased susceptibility to infections can also be attributed to nutritional deficiencies.
• If you spend less than 10 to 20 minutes in the sun every day you probably need vitamin D.
• Smokers need extra vitamin C and other antioxidants.

• Aspirin inhibits the processing and action of vitamin C and folic acid.

• People who drink a lot of alcohol should take extra B vita.. mins and vitamin C, and they may also benefit from milk thistle extract.
• Some medications, such as tetracycline (often used for treating acne), neomycin and laxatives, can rob the body of important vitamins. Diuretics (”water pills”) cause your body to lose too much potassium, magnesium and sometimes sodium. If you take medication regularly, ask a dietician or an informed health worker about vitamin and mineral supplements.
• If you are on warfarin, be careful of preparations and foods that contain vitamin K.
• If you are interested in staying young, there is a series of vitamins and other supplements that can check accelerated ageing.
• People with heart disease or those who are at high risk for it, need enough vitamin B₁2 folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E. Calcium and magnesium supplements are also of value here.

Minerals

Minerals are not manufactured, but are already present in the soil and in water. They are included in the other molecules of plants and animals. In this organic form, minerals are much more easily absorbed by the human alimentary canal.

The 50 different minerals found in the body form only about 4% of total body weight. The fact that they comprise such a small part of the body does not make them unimportant. In fact, 22 of the 50 minerals are essential for normal functioning.

Minerals serve as important components of the key reactions of the body’s functions — a lot like wheel bolts. They weigh very little in relation to the total weight of the motor car, but without them the car would not be able to do what it has to do.

Iron is also a mineral. It is important to realise that iron supplements should not be taken without a good reason. Too much can cause liver problems. You should only take them if you have an iron deficiency (as indicated by a blood test), or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Iron polymaltose, a specific form of iron supplement, is however safe to use as it is not harmful and can be taken without first having a blood test.)

Mineral supplements are not manufactured in a slow-release form because then they would not be absorbed at all.

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