Vitamins and supplements are common solutions to many relevant health issues. Moreover, government research has shown that over half of American adults take nutritional supplements daily. Yet each year, millions of people take these substances in the wrong dosages, in improper combinations, or as part of fad remedies or diets. Taking the wrong supplement is not just a matter of missing out on the benefits. In fact, thousands of patients experience serious side effects and illnesses from off-the-shelf vitamin and herbal solutions. In the case of the dietary supplement Ephedra, which has been used to help people lose weight or increase energy, there have been over 80 deaths linked to its use. Some people also have exposed themselves to possible overdoses by taking a combination of herbal and vitamin supplements that contain overlapping doses of nutrients. Excessive doses of vitamin A, for example, can cause liver and nerve damage, bone loss, and birth defects. Yet many off-the-shelf supplements contain more than twice the daily dosage of vitamin A that is considered safe. Similarly, vitamin D can be so toxic when it is taken in large doses that it can cause the body to over-absorb calcium, even pulling it from the bones and potentially causing a wide range of serious health problems. Because of the limited regulation in the supplement industry, some vitamins contain lead, which is toxic for the human body. Recognizing the dangers linked to supplements and the confusion about taking such products, companies such as American Health Sciences developed supplement lines that work best when taken together and that are recommended by doctors nationwide. The Clinician’s Choice line, for instance, is a family of toxin-free supplements designed to be taken together to efficiently deliver the purest essential vitamins and minerals directly to where the body needs them. These pharmaceutical-grade supplements were created by a team of over 30 doctors with their patient's health and need in mind and are manufactured to the highest standards possible.
10)You may not need supplements at all
If you are already getting the recommended amount of nutrients by eating a variety of fruit, vegetables, cereals, dairy, and protein, there’s little if any additional benefit from ingesting nutritional supplements. Here’s our take on five top-selling vitamins, plus multis:
Vitamin A. Few people in the U.S. are outright deficient in vitamin A. The retinol form—which comes from animal sources such as eggs, liver, and whole milk—is more readily absorbed than beta-carotene, but even strict vegetarians can usually meet their needs by eating five servings a day of produce, including dark green leafy vegetables and orange and yellow fruit. Too much retinol can cause birth defects and liver abnormalities and might harm bones.
B vitamins. Most people get plenty through their diet. Exceptions include vegetarians, who might need , which is found in animal-derived foods; the estimated 10 to 30 percent of people over 50 who don’t have enough stomach acid to extract B12 from food; and women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, who should take 400 micrograms a day of extra folic acid to help prevent birth defects.
Vitamin C. There’s some evidence that 200 milligrams or more of vitamin C a day might improve cold symptoms in smokers and seniors, though it won’t prevent colds. Vitamin C can enhance iron absorption, so avoid high doses if you have hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron.
vitamin) If you get some midday sun exposure during the warmer months and regularly consume vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified dairy products, you probably don’t need to take a supplement. People who are middle-aged or older, are overweight, or have darker skin might need supplements. If you’re unsure about your vitamin D status, ask your doctor about having a blood test.
Vitamin E. Two analyses have linked as little as 400 IU a day to a small but statistically significant increase in mortality. Moreover, vitamin E may inhibit blood clotting, so it shouldn’t be taken with blood thinners.
Multivitamins. Large clinical trials have repeatedly found that multivitamins don’t improve the health of the average person. People who might need a multivitaminn include women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive; dieters consuming fewer than 1,200 calories a day or cutting out an entire food group (carbs, for example); and those with medical conditions that affect digestion and food absorption.
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