While experts agree that multivitamins aren’t needed for most Americans, theres been a lot of talk aboutvitaminslately.
Enough to make one wonder: Is taking vitamins good for you, ever?
These celebrities are just a small sample of a larger trend.
MAURO FERMARIELLO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Americans spend $30 billion a year on supplements, according toThe Journal of Nutrition.
Recent research on vitamins hasnt exactly supported the prevailing idea that everyone should be taking multivitamins.
It’s not just lack of effectiveness that should determine whether you shell out for supplements.
Some vitamins might not even contain the ingredients that they claim on the bottle.
Here’s what you’re gonna wanna know.
practicing in New York City, tells SELF.
If you do have a vitamin deficiency, taking a supplement will help get you back on track.
But experts agree that its generally a bad idea to start taking a new supplement based on a self-diagnosis.
Take a supplement only if you need it, Angelone says.
The dose depends on several factors, including the levels in your own body.
And, while it seems like a good idea to take a multivitamin just in case, Dr.
Simpler points out that recent evidence really doesnt imply that its necessary or good for you.
Its not for somebody that has normal access to food.
While taking too many vitamin supplements may seem harmless, it actually can be dangerous.
If a person takes too much of these, the consequences can be serious, she says.
But there are some potential dangers with these, too, she says.
For example, taking too much vitamin C and not drinking enough water can cause diarrhea and nausea.
Levels higher than 80 mg can cause neurological, GI, and skin problems, Huppert says.
Too much of a good thing is not a good thing at all, she adds.
Moskovitz tells SELF that its also important to be wary of drug interactions.
For example, calcium supplements can interfere with thyroid medications, says Moskovitz.
Here’s the bottom line.
Always speak with your health care provider, Dr. Wider says.
It’s a safer way to go.
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