Most medical organizations agree that it's best to get the vitamins and minerals you need is through proper diet. However, sometimes taking a vitamin or nutrition supplement may be appropriate.
Even for people without vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements can be appropriate under the following conditions:
Calcium Supplement
1. People age 65 or older can often have health problems that can contribute to a poor diet. In addition, as we age, our bodies may not absorb certain vitamins as well as before. In these cases, supplement and vitamins are appropriate. There is also some evidence that multivitamins may support the immune function and decrease the risk of infections in older individuals.
2. Supplements are often recommended for postmenopausal women. Lack of calcium and vitamin D can make supplementing the diet necessary. Calcium and vitamin D supplements have been proven to protect against the onset of osteoporosis.
3. If you do not currently eat a balanced diet with the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Taking a multivitamin supplement may be reasonable in these cases, but it is also important to adopt better eating habits.
4. If you are on a very low calorie diet, and are eating less than 1,000 calories a day, it could be wise to use a vitamin-mineral supplement.
Keep in mind that low-calorie diets limit the nutrients you receive and are not recommended for extended periods of time. Only undertake such a diet with the assistance of your doctor.
5. Smokers often need more help absorbing vitamins and minerals than non-smokers. Tobacco decreases absorption of B-6, vitamin C, niacin to name but a few.
6. Excessive alcohol drinkers can find that their digestion and absorption of thiamin, vitamins A, D and B-12 is impaired. Excessive drinking can be defined as more than one alcoholic drink daily for women and more than two alcoholic drinks daily for men.
7. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant may need supplements. During pregnancy, your body will naturally need more nutrients, especially calcium and iron. Ask your doctor to recommend a supplement.
In addition to the seven special cases above, many practitioners consider it a good idea in general to take a daily vitamin or supplement. Because the human body deals with pollutants, stress and other altering factors on a daily basis, hardly any of us can maintain a perfectly healthy diet and receive proper nutrition every day.
For these reasons, dietary supplements and vitamins are an effective safeguard for our immune systems and general well-being. A quality vitamin or nutritional supplement is appropriate for most people at some point in their life.