Vitamins: Yes or no? Working in the healthcare field, you want to take every measure necessary to ensure you remain healthy, and do not contract every illness you are exposed to. You can eat right, exercise, and get adequate sleep, but can you do more? Some people swear vitamins have made them feel better, and kept them healthy. Physicians generally do not suggest vitamins for their patients, but some contribute that to their lack of education in vitamins. Doctors obviously have extensive training and education, but very little schooling for vitamins. Most physicians agree that provided you consume a well balanced diet, vitamins are not necessary. On the opposing side, many health advisors recommend several vitamins as routine, and additional supplements for certain medical conditions. So let's look at the facts. Can vitamin and mineral supplements really make you healthier? Overwhelmed by the multiple shelves of vitamin and mineral supplements in the grocery store? There are so many options that sound great, but there are also so many questions: Which ones really work? Exactly how effective are they? Are they worth the money? These are excellent questions for anybody who wants to live healthier and avoid heart disease and stroke. But before you start buying everything from Vitamin A to Zinc, remember there’s only one way to be sure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Related: Injuries Among Healthcare Workers Eat healthy foods. Supplements can be beneficial, but the key to vitamin and mineral success is eating a balanced diet. Before taking vitamin and mineral supplements, talk to your physician about your personal dietary plan. Nutritionists recommend food first because foods provide a variety of vitamins and minerals and also dietary factors that are not found in a vitamin or mineral supplement. For example, foods provide many bioactive compounds and dietary fiber that typically aren’t found in supplements. And some supplements don’t allow for full absorption of vitamins. If taken on an empty stomach without any food, some of the fat-soluble vitamins will not be absorbed as well as they would if the supplement was consumed with a food that provides fat. Supplements May Be Beneficial While diet is the key to getting the best vitamins and minerals, supplements can help. For instance, if you’re doing your best to eat healthy foods, but are
still deficient in some areas, supplements can help. The key is to ensure they’re taken in addition to healthy diet choices and nutrient-dense foods. They’re supplements, not replacements. Only use supplements if your health care professional has recommended them. A supplement will generally provide 100 percent of the daily recommended allowance for all vitamins and minerals, therefore many nutritionists will agree that a supplement is OK if nutrient needs are not being met by a healthy food-based diet.” Related: 8 Common Foot Problems Do What Works Best For You As said earlier, before taking vitamin and mineral supplements, talk to your physician about your personal diet plan. Also, consider these recommended “do’s and Don'ts” from the American Heart Association: Do this: Eat a healthy diet. There’s just no substitute for a balanced, nutritious diet that limits excess calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and dietary cholesterol. This approach has been shown to reduce coronary heart disease risk in healthy people and those with heart disease. Don’t do this: Don’t take antioxidant vitamin supplements such as A, C and E. The scientific evidence does not suggest these can eliminate the need to reduce blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol or stop smoking. Do not rely only on supplements. There isn’t sufficient data to suggest that healthy people benefit by taking certain vitamin or mineral supplements in excess of the daily recommended allowance. Some observational studies have suggested that using these can lower rates of cardiovascular disease and/or lower risk factor levels. However, it’s unclear in these studies whether supplements caused these improvements. Ultimately the debate continues on vitamins. Most agree, in most cases, they will not pose harm, but evidence is lacking as to whether they are beneficial. Related: Distinguished Registered Nurse Lindsey Williamson, RN, BSN, will be Honorably Mentioned in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter