Subscribe Feed (RSS)Do We Really Need Vitamin Supplements
June 25th, 2006 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.Vitamins are vital body nutrients that the body need to function properly. There are various types of vitamins that perform various functions in our body. Also, vitamins are derived from various sources. One important source for vitamins is vitamin supplements that we buy and take everyday of our lives. However, the question is , can we do without vitamin supplements ? since our body extracts what it needs from the food we eat why do we need to supplement the vitamins we get from our food? Lets look at some of the basic reasons why we take vitamin supplements .
The type of food we eat.
The type of food we eat gives us the necessary nutrients required for our body to function properly. If we eat junk food we become deficient in certain vitamins with attendant health problems. So it is very necessary to have a balanced diet with the required vitamins for proper body growth. For example, a vital vitamin required for normal nerve function, vitamin b-1 (thiamin), can be found in rice husks, wheat germ, poultry, eggs, pork and broccoli. So when we are deficient in this type of vitamin, we need to take vitamin to supplement for this deficiency.
Our lifestyle.
The type of lifestyle we choose to live could also cause us to take vitamin supplement. This is to make up for any lack of vitamin that may arise as a result of this lifestyle. For example smokers and people who use oral contraceptives are susceptible to low level of vitamin c in the body. Vitamin c is very important for good health. It maintains healthy bones, assists in hormone production and promotes healing. There are various sources for vitamin c, some of which are, peppers, broccoli, turnip greens etc. However, excess vitamin c can cause diarrhea, copper and iron metabolism disorders, gout and decreased resistance to infection.
For medical reasons.
We can also take vitamin supplements for medical reasons. In situations like these, it becomes inevitable to take them. For example, for women with breast cysts, leg cramps in patients with vascular disease, large doses of vitamin e (500-1,000 IU) can be taken to alleviate and improve these conditions. However, doses above 1000 IU may cause fatigue. Vitamin e is an antioxidant abundant in corn and other vegetable oils.
Other vitamin types, their uses and sources are;
Niacin is a B vitamin necessary for growth and healing. It is found in
protein - meats, poultry and fish. Overdoses of niacin can cause flushing, liver damage and skin disorders. High doses of niacin may be used to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Our body turns Beta-carotene into vitamin A. This vitamin is necessary
for our vision, healthy skin and resistance to infection. It is plentiful in animal
and fish products, carrots and spinach. Due to the fact that the
vitamin is stored in the liver, excess dietary intake may lead to
1. toxicity,
2. loss of appetite and hair,
3. anemia,
4. blurred vision,
5. bone pain,
6. bleeding tendency,
7. headache and
8. many other symptoms.
Medical experts have cautioned that people should not exceed 25,000 IU of this vitamin a day.
For good maintenance of our teeth and bones we need Calcium mineral. It’s basic source is in dairy products. The RDA is 1,000 mg for adults. However, post-menopausal women need 1,500-2,000 mg a day to aid preventing osteoporosis. It should not be taken excessively. Overdose, (above 3,000 mg) may contribute to kidney stones, which can result in kidney damage and hypertension.
So from the above you can see that taking of vitamin can really be avoided except on medical grounds and when it is absolutely necessary. Living of a good lifestyle, abstinence from dangerous habits and eating the required diet can prevent us from becoming vitamin popping individuals.
Jafaru Ibrahim has written many articles on health matters such as on
Tags: antioxidant, cholesterol, diet, Hair, mineral, smoker, vitamin cRelated posts
Tags: antioxidant, cholesterol, diet, Hair, mineral, smoker, vitamin c
