You might think popping a few vitamin supplements will help you stay healthy and prevent disease, but according to many experts, you probably don’t need them. Taking specific vitamins in supplement form can even be harmful. So before stocking up on vitamins, consult your doctor to see if they’re right for you.
How Vitamin Supplements Help
Your body needs vitamins to function correctly. Vitamins are essential micronutrients that help the body perform specific tasks. While a healthy diet is enough to get the necessary vitamins, some people may need supplements to ensure they’re getting enough.
Certain health conditions can increase your risk of vitamin deficiency. For example, people with Crohn’s disease may have trouble absorbing nutrients from food, making it difficult to get enough vitamins through diet. Pregnant women and young children are also at increased risk for vitamin deficiencies because their bodies have higher needs for certain nutrients during these periods of rapid growth.
Vitamins That Might Not Be Worth Taking as Supplements
You might not need to take certain vitamins as supplements, as they are easily obtainable through diet and lifestyle choices. For example, vitamins A and D are available in foods like fish, eggs, and dairy products. If you’re getting enough of these in your diet (and sunlight in the case of vitamin D), you probably don’t need supplements.
Extreme doses of vitamin A can cause headaches, nausea, aching, coordination issues, and even liver damage. Vitamin A is also fat soluble, so your body can store it in fat deposits and might “overdose” on it during sudden weight loss.
Similarly, nuts and seeds contain Vitamin E. If you eat a varied diet that includes these things, you likely don’t need an extra dose of vitamin E from supplements. The same goes for vitamins K and C, which are readily available in fruits and vegetables.
Before you start popping pills, check with your doctor whether you’re deficient in any vitamins. If you’re eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise, chances are good that you don’t need them.
