Millions of individuals take nutritional vitamins regularly to remain wholesome, however they might not present the advantages you assume, in response to some medical doctors. Experts warn it is essential to completely analysis every model, perceive the potential dangers and seek the advice of your doctor first. Eat This, Not That! Health talked to a number of medical doctors and medical specialists who defined what to know earlier than taking nutritional vitamins. Read on—and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
We can get a number of our nutritional vitamins from having a nutritious diet. Dr. Jacob Hascalovici says, “It’s true that aging can make it a bit more difficult to get all the nutrients women’s bodies need to stay strong and healthy, but that doesn’t mean that women always need to turn to supplements for their vitamins and nutrients. If you have concerns, you may want to evaluate your overall eating habits first — you may already be getting enough nutrients if you’re eating a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, nuts, beans, low-fat dairy and lean proteins. It may also be a good idea to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before adding in a supplement, as people’s specific nutritional needs can vary. It is possible to ingest certain vitamins and supplements in higher than ideal levels, which can have negative impacts over time, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to nutritional supplements.”
“The purity of supplements depends largely on the manufacturer, and it is sometimes hard to say which are good or bad,” Dr. Jae Pak, M.D., of Jae Pak Medical explains. “That said, my advice is to fully vet the supplier where you are purchasing supplements, and always speak to your doctor before adding any vitamin into your routine. [Vitamins] are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which means even the most expensive vitamins may not be as pure as you think they are. Some products contain more fillers than actual helpful ingredients, so it is important to know and trust the manufacturer you’re sourcing them from.”
Dr. Pak warns, “Another thing many don’t consider when taking vitamins and supplements is that they could interact with other medications and supplements you’re taking. They may also have harmful side effects in addition to any perceived benefits. For these reasons, it is important to consult with a trusted health care provider before beginning any vitamin or supplement regimen.”
Dr. Ani Rostomyan is a Doctor of Pharmacy, Holistic Pharmacist and Functional Medicine Practitioner who focuses on Pharmacogenomics and Nutrigenomic consulting says, “From a Pharmacist standpoint, always inform us about vitamins and herbal supplements you take, since some may interact with medications, like St. John’s Wort may interact with some medications due to impaired metabolic pathways of certain medications, through induction of cytochrome P (CYP) 1A2, 2C19, 2C9, and 3A4, as well as intestinal P-glycoprotein/multidrug efflux pump (MDR)-1 drug transporters.”
Rachel Fine, a Registered Dietitian and proprietor of To The Pointe Nutrition says, “In general multivitamins are not technically needed if one is eating a diet abundant in a variety of plant based foods. However, given our busy schedules and reliance on convenient options it may be beneficial for women to consider multivitamins as a means of filling in the gaps.”
Dr. Pak provides, “A well-balanced, colorful diet is the best way to fill nutritional gaps. I recommend exploring professional nutrition counseling before heading down the slippery supplements slope.”
Fine explains, “The most common deficiencies in women are calcium, vitamin D and iron. Since there’s no standard formula for multis composition, it can vary greatly. It’s important to make sure your tablet is not overdoing it with some nutrients. For example I suggest choosing a tablet with no more than 1000 IU of vitamin D and no more than 500 mg calcium. If you’re getting in 2-3 servings of calcium-containing foods (like dairy) in your diet then you may choose a tablet with a more modest amount of calcium (100-400mg).”
“One advantage of taking a vitamin with a lower amount of calcium (such as 200mg) is that there is less of a chance of the calcium interfering with iron absorption,” Fine states. “If you tend to be deficient in iron (which is quite common for menstruation women) it’s best to take your multi separate (at least 2 hours) from your iron supplement.”
Dr. Rostomyan says, “Everyone’s needs are unique and can’t be standardized to one size fits all, health care providers will be able to decide and recommend your own nutritional needs based on your health needs, status and preferences. For example, living in certain geographical areas, like northern countries, may put you at a greater risk for Vitamin D deficiency, or if you are abiding certain vegan diets, you may be more prone to iron or vitamin B group deficiencies.”
It’s at all times essential to care for your well being, however particularly throughout being pregnant. Dr. Hascalovici explains, “Women sometimes can benefit from specific nutritional support, however, including from supplement powders, particularly if they are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, are trying to increase muscle mass, are vegetarian or vegan, or are over 50. Calcium, vitamin D and the B vitamins might be worth looking into if you fit one of these categories. You’ll likely want to choose powders from natural instead of synthetic sources, and you may benefit from whey or soy protein powders, too.”
Dr. Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln within the Bronx, additionally recommends vitamin D.
“It’s beneficial for a multitude of bodily functions. Aids with bone development for both mother and fetus. It also boosts immunity- pregnancy has a physiologic immune suppression on the body such that the fetus can thrive. Vitamin D has been shown to aid in diminishing symptoms of depression, is good for cardiovascular health and decreases the incidence of preterm labor. For melanated individuals, it’s important to know that Vitamin D is made in the skin in conjunction with sunlight– this process is inhibited by melanin– it’s important to get your levels checked.
Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of the Candida Diet explains, “When it involves taking an iron complement, or a multivitamin which comprises iron, you will need to keep away from taking calcium or consuming calcium across the similar time. The time period elemental iron refers back to the quantity of iron that’s absorbed from every capsule. There are two types of iron; heme (from animal sources) and non-heme (from plant-sources). Heme iron is absorbed at roughly 25% whereas non-heme is absorbed at round 17%. Most iron dietary supplements available on the market are constituted of non-heme sources, which is nice for vegan dieters, however ought to be paired with a vitamin C supply for higher absorption. All iron dietary supplements ought to be taken a minimum of 2 hours pre or post-meal to forestall the mineral from having to compete with different minerals for absorption, particularly calcium.”
Dr. Rostomyan reveals, “Due to advances in science in genomic and precision medication and diet, Nutrigenomic testing has turn out to be additionally used to find out distinctive personalised dietary wants of an individual, based mostly on Nutrigenomics testing. As a Pharmacogenomics and Nutrigenomics Pharmacist, I discover it very useful to run the Nutrigenomic testing and take the guesswork out of the best way, serving to sufferers to include personalised diet and vitamin supplementation.” And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
