When it comes to taking vitamins, it is essential to be aware of any dietary restrictions that may be necessary beyond what can be obtained through diet or lifestyle changes alone. While taking a general “broad-spectrum” vitamin and mineral supplement “just in case” poses little health risk and may benefit a person whose diet is restricted and lacks variety, it is not recommended to take vitamin and mineral supplements instead of following a nutritious diet. It is important to choose foods such as fish, poultry, beans and nuts, while limiting red meat and cheese, and avoiding bacon, cold cuts and other processed meats. Drugs must be approved by the FDA before they can be sold or marketed, but dietary supplements do not require this approval.
Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the manufacturer of dietary supplements is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. Unless your healthcare provider has recommended a high-dose vitamin B supplement, it's safest to look for supplements that don't provide amounts equal to or above the upper limits. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in a wide variety of animal foods, such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs and milk. The Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) contains information on the labels of thousands of dietary supplement products available in the United States.
Vitamin and mineral supplements can also interfere with prescription medications and medical treatments. This could be because the vitamins and minerals in foods are also influenced by other components of the food, not just the “active ingredient”. The cardiologist's recommended amount of 100 IU of natural vitamin E is equivalent to 67 mg of vitamin E. If you take excessive amounts for a year or longer, vitamin B6 can also cause nerve damage and cause you to lose control of body movements.
It is important to be aware of any potential risks associated with taking higher than recommended doses of some vitamins. In summary, when taking vitamins it is essential to consider any dietary restrictions that may be necessary beyond what can be obtained through diet or lifestyle changes alone. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any type of vitamin or mineral supplement in order to ensure safety and avoid potential risks.
