Choosing to take Vitamins

Each vitamin has its own set of benefits and risks. The risks mostly occur when taken in larger doses than the recommended daily allowances. This is sometimes very easy to do because packaging of vitamins often starts off at higher than recommended amounts. As mundane as it may sound, most people are much better off using their diet to control their vitamin intake. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to overdose on a vitamin merely with your diet.

There are instances where it is advisable to take vitamins and in most cases, a multivitamin is recommended as opposed to taking individual vitamins. Multivitamins generally have lower doses of each so they are safer to take. No vitamin supplement program should be started without the advice and under the care of a physician. Because of possible health risks, you should only take vitamins if your physician says you need them. If so, only take the doses and the types recommended. If you exceed these, there are side effects and you could possibly cause serious harm to your body that could lead to death.

In order to answer the question of whether or not you should take vitamins, you need to look at all the facts. What kind of diet do you have? If you eat the recommended amount of calories each day you may not need to take additional vitamins. Is your diet supplying you the nutrients needed? If you eat a well balanced diet, the answer is probably yes. However, if you are missing a food group you may need to make up for it by adding a supplement. What vitamins are being supplied with your current diet? If you are getting all you need, it may actually be dangerous for you to add vitamins because you may be exceeding the recommended amounts and risk potential side effects.

Do you have any health conditions that would affect the need for particular vitamins? Some people who have excess levels naturally in their system due to health conditions may need to avoid the use of supplements. If you get too many built up there may be severe consequences including health complications and issues that could potentially lead to death. Do your medical conditions require use of a supplement? There are some conditions that require the use of supplements for better health. Pregnancy is an example of a condition that often requires the use of additional supplements such as prenatal vitamins to the diet.

Once you have examined the answers to all those questions posed, then you will be ready to make an informed decision as to whether or not you need to take vitamins. The likely answer is no. But if it is yes, choose a multivitamin and be careful about only taking recommended doses as cleared through your physician or medical professional.