Health Care
How multivitamins can bridge nutritional gaps?
How To Get The Most From Your Vitamins And Minerals
The best way to ensure that you are
getting the nutrients that your body needs is a healthy diet; however, many
people do not have the time needed to cook meals at home. If you find that you
are suffering from nutritional deficiencies due to unhealthy eating habits,
dieting or following a vegan or vegetarian diet, a nutritional supplement
can correct a deficiency. Millions of Americans rely on multivitamins to
help improve their health. If you are worried about nutritional deficiencies,
it is time you have learned how to get the most out of your vitamin and mineral
supplements, including how to pick the best dietary supplements, common issues
surrounding dietary supplements and how to avoid them.
How multivitamins can bridge nutritional gaps?
When it comes to nutrition, a balanced
diet can help you avoid a number of health issues. According to a professor at Harvard
Medical School, many Americans are not receiving the vitamins
and minerals that they need. The most common nutritional deficiencies
include:
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
Who
is at risk of a nutritional shortfall?
Nutritional shortfalls are quite common
in the elderly, vegetarians, vegans and women of childbearing age. Women of
childbearing age often suffer from an iron deficiency that can lead to anemia.
The elderly along with those who avoid animal products often experience low
levels of vitamin B12. A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause irreversible nerve
damage and cognitive decline.
Can
nutritional supplements help prevent chronic disease?
The National Institutes of Health
reports that a review of studies found that multivitamin and mineral
supplements can help prevent a number of chronic diseases,
including osteoporosis, cancer and coronary heart disease. The study found that
those who had an alcohol addiction, vegans and the elderly are at an increased
risk of having vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It was shown that folate,
vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 help the body metabolize homocysteine, which
decreases the risk of coronary heart disease. Vitamin E, on the other hand, has
been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Finally, vitamin D
supplementation helps to reduce the risk of fractures when it is taken with a
calcium supplement. Other studies have shown that multivitamin supplementation
can significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer, osteoporosis and other
medical conditions.
What
to look for in a multivitamin and mineral supplement
When shopping for a multivitamin and
mineral supplement, it is important to look at the following ingredients to
maximize the effectiveness of the supplement and minimize any risks associated
with consuming too much of a vitamin or mineral.
•
Vitamin A – Your body converts carotenoids and
beta-carotene into usable vitamin A. Remember that excessive amounts of vitamin
A in the form of retinol can damage your liver and can be dangerous to your
bone health.
•
Iron – Postmenopausal women and men should
look for an iron-free supplement unless they are not consuming iron-rich foods such as meats and fortified grains. Too much
iron can damage your organs.
•
Folic acid – Women who are of childbearing age
should ensure that they get 100 percent of the daily recommended allowance of
folic acid. A folic acid deficiency during the first month of pregnancy can
cause neural tube defects in fetuses.
•
Vitamin D – Vitamin D is used by the body to help
improve the absorption of calcium and help prevent certain types of cancer.
Those who are overweight, spend little time outdoors or who have dark skin are
at an increased risk of having a vitamin D deficiency.
•
Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an antioxidant that
helps to remove free radicals from the body and improve immunity. Those who are
elderly or who have a compromised immune system can benefit from a vitamin C
supplement.
Are
capsules or tablets better?
Most experts agree that a vitamin and
mineral supplement in capsule form is better than tablets. Capsules tend to
break down more easily in the stomach, which means you get the maximum amount
of vitamin and minerals. Choose a reputable company that offers easy to digest
capsules to maximize your absorption of vitamins and minerals.
Alkaline
diets
An acidic environment decreases the
body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals from supplements and foods.
Additionally, an acidic body can decrease the body's ability to detoxify
itself, reduce metabolism and increase the risk of a number of health issues.
Avoiding processed foods and opting for whole foods will help alkalize the body
and improve the body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals.
Many American's suffer from nutritional
deficiencies. The risk further increases in those with digestive issues, the
elderly and those who follow a vegan lifestyle. Learning which vitamins you
should be including in your diet and supplementation program along with eating
an alkaline diet will help protect your health and may prevent a number of
chronic diseases.
