In a perfect world, a balanced diet would supply your body with everything it needs to function optimally. The stark reality is though, most of us don’t get the nutrients we need from the food we eat. So, taking a daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplement helps ensure you don’t lack any of the vital nutrients you need.
Let’s take it back a moment
Our bodies are made of stardust, exactly the same components that make up suns and planets. Crazy thought, right? To keep healthy, you have to supply your body with the things it needs to function, so it can keep building bones, making blood and burning energy.
It’s not just about popping a pill
Your body is a complex organism, and nothing works in isolation. Popping a pill to supplement a poor diet won’t help if your body can’t absorb what’s in that pill, or if your morning coffee habit is sapping calcium from your bones. Vitamins work together. For example, vitamin A needs some fat to work, and calcium needs magnesium to help build your bones. So, before you start mixing and matching supplements, speak to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you’re taking the right ones together.
How do vitamins and minerals work in your body?
Fat-soluble vitamins bind to fat in the stomach and are then stored in the body for later use. We’re less likely to become deficient in these vitamins (A, D, E, and K), but there’s also more chance that we’ll build up toxic levels of them in our bodies.
Water-soluble vitamins can be absorbed directly by cells. If there’s an excess of vitamins of your system, they’re flushed out when you urinate.
Water-soluble vitamins, which include biotin, vitamin C, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and the four B complex vitamins – need to be restored more frequently, but your body is able to handle higher doses.
Beware: certain medication and vitamins don’t mix
A healthy diet that includes a variety of colours and textures should supply you with nearly all the daily nutrients you need. If you decide to add supplements however, make sure you read the labels. Don’t assume that all natural remedies are safe to take, especially if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding, or suffer from a chronic condition. If you’re already on medication, always check with your doctor first if the supplements you want to take will work alongside your current medication.
Can supplements help prevent illness and disease?
In short, supplements are beneficial for overall health and managing certain health conditions. They are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases, but they do ensure you get your RDA of essential nutrients.
Recommended Daily Allowance – RDA
Every vitamin or mineral supplement carries an RDA (recommended daily amount) on the label and in the insert. It’s important that you stick to the dosage instructions, unless instructed by your doctor, as too much can actually be dangerous for you.
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