The words of an old Marvin Gaye song ring true when it comes to vitamin intake: Ain’t nothing like the real thing.
But sometimes our lives can get so hectic that we lose sight of what we are eating and drinking during the day, so our bodies may not be getting the vitamins and minerals it needs. Can a vitamin supplement help?
Here is some information from medicinenet.com:
• First try the natural way. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits daily. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidant vitamins.
• Women in childbearing years should take a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for the prevention of neural tube birth defects.
• Adults and the elderly should take one multivitamin daily. One multivitamin a day is safe and inexpensive. The multivitamin should contain 400 micrograms of folic acid, and RDA levels of other vitamins. (The folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 can help lower homocysteine. The vitamin D is important in preventing and treating osteoporosis).
• People with an inadequate amount of calcium in their diet should consider calcium supplements.
• Adults should check their blood cholesterol profile with their family health care provider. (LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol). Vitamin E (400 IU/day) is recommended for patients with small LDL cholesterol particles and elevated Lp(a) cholesterol to help decrease oxidation of these cholesterol particles. Vitamin E may also prevent prostate cancer.
Before you start on any supplement regiment, it is important to discuss your overall health with your health care professional first.
