WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS.

Are vitamin supplements necessary?

Although vitamin supplements may be beneficial for those who have a deficiency or a specific health need, starting a new pill or tincture without consulting a professional is not recommended. Taking a supplement may even be harmful in some cases. Some products may be unsafe for people with certain medical conditions, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women. They may even interact with existing medications, making them more potent or less effective.

Taking vitamin supplements with other medication

Vitamin supplements can interact with your medication

One of the potential issues with herbal supplements and vitamin tablets is that they are widely available and can be picked up from supermarket shelves or thrown into an online shopping cart without hesitation. All of this contributes to the widespread belief that vitamin supplements are safe regardless of your health status. As we’ve seen, such an assumption can be dangerous, so always check with your pharmacist.

Herbal and vitamin supplement risks

If your goal is simply to supplement your diet with a daily multivitamin rather than to treat a specific problem, the risks are minimal (although if you and your diet are healthy, the benefits are often minimal). However, it’s still worth speaking with a professional to ensure the vitamin contains what you need and is safe for you, especially if you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Vegans, for example, are advised to take vitamin B12 supplements, which are normally found in meat and dairy products. It’s natural to believe they require a higher dose than what’s available in a multivitamin. This is not always the case, however. “Having supplements such as a multivitamin is not necessarily a bad thing,”

Common supplement interactions

Garlic

We are so used to eating garlic that it is easy to believe that garlic tablets are completely safe. However, interactions with a wide range of medications have been reported. While it is usually mild, it is important to ensure that it does not interfere with your current medication, especially if you are taking blood thinners or antiviral drugs.

Including supplements as part of a healthy diet

Working to improve our health and find ways to feel better and get the most out of life should be celebrated, and vitamins and supplements may be part of a healthy regimen for some. However, it is critical that these additions to our daily diet are not viewed as substitutes for prescribed medication and that we seek professional advice before beginning anything new. This will help us get the most out of our supplements and avoid taking anything that could harm our health.