We once had a client that said supplements were never necessary and another who said they make up for poor diet and prevent diseases. There are so many myths surrounding supplements and their functions, which is why you must read this article to the end with full attention and an open mind to learn something new.

Supplements aid in the supply of necessary vitamins and minerals to the body, but they do not entirely prevent ailments. These vitamins and minerals are micronutrients; without them, our bodies would not develop or function correctly. In essence, nutritional or health supplements ensure you have an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system. This will enhance proper growth and development as well as build a healthy body.

Why do you need nutritional supplements when you can get vitamins from food?

Supplements come in various forms - gummies, powders, capsules, energy bars, and tablets. Getting the right amount of vitamin supplements from food has become increasingly difficult due to many factors, including exposure to heat, light, over-cooking, and even longer storage. For instance, if you are a busy person, shuffling between work, family, and personal life, you most likely don’t have time; when you do, you cook and store a lot at a time.

These things can break down the vitamins contained in the food and render it pointless in the long run. Although minerals cannot be easily broken down and destroyed by these factors, adding a nutritional supplement to your diet will fill the necessary gaps.

You hear people say that you can’t overdose on vitamins because they heal and build the body. The fact is that anything that heals can also kill, so it is vital to consume only recommended supplements and in an accurate dose. The list of nutritional supplements is long- a few popular ones are vitamins D and B12; minerals like calcium and iron; herbs such as echinacea and garlic; and products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils. When you consume health supplements wrongly, you might damage vital organs in your body. Excessive intake of vitamin A can affect your liver; if you are pregnant, it can lead to birth defects.

Furthermore, excess vitamin B6 can cause nerve damage, and too much vitamin C can turn the famous antioxidant into a pro-oxidant (which damages body cells), not to mention diarrhea. Another reason to be extra careful while taking supplements is because supplements also have side effects. When taking supplements, especially as a pregnant woman, it is necessary to observe your body to detect abnormal symptoms.

Some supplements can prevent blood from clotting, some affect the effectiveness of medicines, and others can reduce bone strength and defects during childbirth. Iron supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, and damage to the liver and other internal organs. The essence of knowing this information is to reemphasize the importance of proper consultation, accurate dosage, and personal consciousness while taking supplements.

You can consult with our pharmacists now if you're uncertain about which supplement is right for you. All you have to do is tap on the message icon at the bottom-right corner of this blog. Once you're done, you can return and resume reading.

Now that you have discussed your nutritional supplements with our Pharmacist, let us talk about a few vitamins vital to your body and its health.

The first is Choline. Although not technically a vitamin, this essential nutrient often is associated with B vitamins because of their similarities. Choline is a building block of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is super necessary for nerve and brain activities that control memory and muscle movement. It can also help turn food into fuel. They are present in foods like eggs, roasted soybeans, and beef liver.

The second vitamin to discuss is Niacin. If you are looking for beautiful skin, hair, and red blood cells, this is the vitamin for you. It’s also central to the health of the skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system. It may lower cholesterol and heart disease risks. These vitamins are present in chicken and turkey breasts, brown rice, and beef liver.

Furthermore, let’s talk about Biotin (aka vitamin B7 or vitamin H). Like the rest of the water-soluble B-complex vitamins, biotin plays a crucial role in cell growth and food metabolism. Just in case you are wondering what metabolism is - metabolism is the process by which our bodies convert the food we eat into energy and powers everything we do, from thinking, running, working, traveling to our favorite places, and doing our favorite activities.

Research has shown that Biotin deficiency is extremely rare, but overdoing it on raw egg whites may prevent biotin absorption. What you need as an adult is 30 mcg of this vitamin and maybe 35 mcg per day if you are lactating.

So Flora, easy on that Biotin supplement... lol.

Biotin is mostly present in animal products, so vegans need nutritional supplements to supply this nutrient to their bodies. Although vitamins are considered micronutrients. They are the key to a healthy lifestyle and should never be ‘overlooked’. These tiny nutrients have a huge impact. Ensure you get your adequate fill of these micronutrients by eating a colorful diet and taking a multivitamin to fill in any gaps left by your diet.

However, let your doctor or pharmacist know about every Supplement you want to take, even if you think it’s safe. Many vitamins and minerals, as well as herbal supplements, have side effects and interact with medications and other vitamins.

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