At least two-thirds of all essential vitamins and minerals we should get from food, another third can be taken in the form of supplements.
For some reason, many people take supplements even if they are not deficient in vitamins. In most cases it is just a waste of money and the extra vitamins are simply flushed out of the body.
Most people think that excess vitamins can do no harm. But no sane person would take an antibiotic without being sick.
As with medicines, taking synthesized vitamins is important to follow certain rules of intake – otherwise they can be useless or even dangerous to health.
The purpose of this article is to warn readers about the 5 most common mistakes when taking vitamins, the kind that can turn vitamins from beneficial to something very harmful to health.
1. Taking medications without a doctor's prescription.
Self-medication is the problem of our time. We tend to self-medicate on the basis of advice from a neighbor, pharmacist, Google, without seeking qualified advice. And at the same time, uncontrolled taking, for example, fat-soluble vitamins can lead to the accumulation of the latter in the body, provoking a malfunction of the liver, which is fraught with endocrine and hormonal disorders.
Always consult your doctor before you start taking vitamins or other supplements.
2. Taking vitamins instead of a balanced diet.
Vitamins can temporarily replace a balanced diet, but they cannot completely replace proper nutrition. Take vitamins and supplements if for some reason you cannot provide a varied and complete diet; take supplements to compensate for seasonal deficiencies of a vitamin – but do not make it a permanent strategy.
3. Storing vitamins improperly.
Vitamins require just as much attention as other medications. And even a minor violation of the rules of storage or intake can significantly change its effect on the body. Therefore, study the storage rules carefully and do not break them by any means.
4. Taking vitamins on an empty stomach.
Of the entire list of vitamins and minerals, only some are suitable for taking on an empty stomach. All others, if taken on an empty stomach, may cause nausea, abdominal pain and other unpleasant feelings.
5. Mixing the wrong elements.
If you are taking any medication, be especially careful with vitamins and supplements: many of them can enhance, weaken, or even "reverse" the effects of medication. As a result, you may get the opposite effect than expected. Moreover, some combinations may even be fatal. Either carefully study the interaction of drugs and supplements, or refuse to take them at all during treatment.
6. Taking vitamins before a blood test.
If you have to undergo a blood test or any other medical test, it is best not to take any supplements at least one day before the biomaterials are taken. You should also tell your doctor what supplements you are taking: their effects may lead to unexpected lab results and make it difficult to make a correct diagnosis.
Let's summarize: Taking vitamins incorrectly is simply dangerous to your health.
To help your body cope with the spring transition, follow general measures: drink more water, eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet, adjust your diet and sleep-wake schedule. It is also important to take more walks and exercise.
To prevent seasonal illnesses, begin in advance to strengthen the immune system, do breathing exercises, and conduct wet cleaning more often.
And last but not least: in the fight against hypovitaminosis great help will have vitamin complexes, but only those that are prescribed by a specialist and properly administered.