Supplements

“To supplement, or not supplement, that is the question.” I think that Hamlet’s version is easier to discuss. The revenue from the sales of vitamin and nutritional supplements is over 30 billion dollars. About one half of adult Americans take a daily multivitamin. Common questions that arise include, should I take a supplement, is there a particular brand that is recommended above others, and are there any potential side effects or dangers with taking them? These are all good questions with the answer to most of them being, “It depends.” Here’s why.

Vitamins and mineral supplements can help to ensure that you get adequate quantities of vital substances that the body needs to function. Most experts maintain that if you eat well, you do not need to take vitamin supplements. However, in certain situations, it might be difficult to naturally consume  or activate enough quantity of a vitamin due to circumstances (for example: lack of Vitamin B12 in a strictly vegetarian diet or vitamin D deficiency during winter months). Folic acid is prescribed to reduce the risk of birth defects in women of childbearing age and multivitamins are prescribed to people who undergo bariatric surgery since this procedure affects gut absorption and digestion. In these instances, supplementing vitamins and minerals would be important in maintaining normal body function.

Whereas the dietary supplement industry is regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), it does not test these products before they go on the shelves. The FDA places the responsibility on the manufacturer to ensure that their products are safe. Also, vitamins lose their potency the longer they remain on the shelf and should be stored at or below room temperature. Retailers that do brisk business and restock frequently should have fresher product lines. One way to check on the quality of the product is to see if it has a certification symbol on the packaging from one of several nonprofit organizations that check supplements for purity and quality.

It’s important to remember that too much of a good thing can be harmful. Many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong biological effects which may lead to interactions with other medications you are taking or interfere with anesthesia, bleeding time, immune function and healing time associated with surgery. That’s why it’s important to let your doctor know of all the medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you are taking to have a complete picture of your health and nutritional plan.