Benefits of vitamin supplements -
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In This Article. What Do Supplements Do? Do Supplements Work? How to Use Supplements Safely. Other Considerations. Trending Videos. Most studies find no benefit from multivitamins in protecting the brain or heart. But There are potential benefits and no risks from a one daily standard multivitamin.
So, is it worth considering a multivitamin as part of a healthy lifestyle? Start with asking yourself why you would consider taking a multivitamin.
If you suspect your diet is nutritionally lax, focus your efforts there. Despite all the research on vitamins and health, we have only a handful of rigorous scientific studies on the benefits of a "true" multivitamin: a pill that provides essential vitamins and minerals at the relatively low levels that the body normally requires.
The Physicians' Health Study II is the best study completed so far. It was the first and only large-scale randomized clinical trial to test a commonly taken multivitamin like the ones most people take, containing the daily requirements of 31 vitamins and minerals essential for good health.
A large group of male physicians took either a multivitamin or a placebo pill for more than a decade. The results have been mixed, with modest reductions in cancer and cataracts, but no protective effect against cardiovascular disease or declining mental function.
Is it safe? Multivitamin advocates point to the lack of any strong proof that taking a multivitamin for many years is dangerous. While the likelihood of harm is small, the likelihood of a clear health benefit is also very small—and also we have no clear proof yet of such benefit.
The optimists say despite no clear evidence of health benefit, multivitamin supplementation is low risk and low cost. And it helps to fill potential gaps in the diet that people might have. Researchers looked at the effect of long-term multivitamin use in healthy men on various aspects of health.
Here is what they found:. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. About half of all Americans routinely take dietary supplements. The most common ones are multivitamin and multimineral supplements. Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the foods and nutrients you need to stay healthy explains the evidence behind the benefits and safety profiles of various vitamins and minerals.
It also includes the recommended minimum and maximum amounts you should consume, as well as good food sources of each. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.
New research shows little Benefits of vitamin supplements Bennefits infection from prostate biopsies. Discrimination at work is supp,ements to high blood pressure. Boost blood circulation fingers and vitanin Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? If you take a multivitamin, it's probably because you want to do everything you can to protect your health. But there is still limited evidence that a daily cocktail of essential vitamins and minerals actually delivers what you expect. What or these vitaminsBoost blood circulation Allergy management strategies they important, and Benefits of vitamin supplements should you get incorporate them suppllements Benefits of vitamin supplements diet? We spuplements with the experts Benefis break down fitamin you need to know. Vitamins and minerals are nutrients, or small molecules that are essential for our bodies to function. Pedro R. Rodriguez Guggiari, an internal medicine specialist and Chief of Staff at Banner Del E. They serve a variety of functions which keep the body working properly, to help regenerate tissues, fight infections, support neurological functions, manage our energy and even to help with life-saving events such as blood clotting.Get your Brain Health Score in vitamjn mins Take the quiz. Bebefits are many Benefitx of vitamin supplements, but Boost blood circulation science is complicated.
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The general consensus amongst dietitians, doctors, and Boost blood circulation od that taking supplemetns multivitamin supplrments have limited to no benefits for most people, but it may be helpful if you:. Have dietary restrictions that prevent you from eating specific food groups e.
More is not always better. In some cases, the supplement may contain far more. A potential health problem is that you may end up with very high levels of certain vitamins or minerals in your body.
This is especially true if you take other supplements or eat foods that are fortified with vitamins and minerals. According to the National Institutes of Healthpeople who take multivitamins often have excessively high levels of vitamin A, zinc, iron, and niacin.
Some of these, such as vitamin A, can be toxic at high levels. Instead of taking a true multivitamin, more and more people are instead targeting a specific health concern by taking individual vitamin supplements, or supplements that have a limited, but more focused, set of specific nutrients.
Your nutritional needs may also change as you get older, or as your lifestyle changes. Vegans need to take a vitamin B12 supplement because their diet tends to have little to no vitamin B Women who might have taken iron supplements all their lives may stop taking iron after menopause.
Someone who was recently exposed to a sick person may opt to take immunity-specific vitamins, such as vitamin C. Many people struggle with their mental health. So what can you do to take better care of your mental health?
Here are f ive vitamins that may help :. Heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular illnesses are the number-one cause of death around the world. Supplements that may help improve your cardiovascular health include:. Your brain needs a lot of fuel. But your brain needs more than just calories and carbohydrates—it needs specific nutrients.
So what vitamins and minerals are good for the brain? These are the most important vitamins for brain health:. Several vitamins play critical roles in your energy metabolism, and a lack of vitamins may leave you feeling sluggish, tired, or fatigued.
Energy-boosting supplements may include:. Researchers have found that men and women who eat a healthy diet and get the right nutrients reduce the signs of ageing on a cellular level, and also physically slow some of the symptoms of the ageing process.
If you want to experience healthier ageingthe best anti-ageing vitamins, minerals, and supplements include:. Omega-3 fatty acids : These healthy fats protect against cognitive decline as we get older and even reduces the risk of developing dementia. B vitamins : They support bowel function, help our bodies to produce healthy blood cells, and improve eye health.
Antioxidants : They help to protect our cells from damage from free radicals, and this damage is associated with increased signs of ageing and a higher risk of illness. Vitamin D: It improves bone strength and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Vitamin A: It also supports healthy eyes specifically vision when lights are dim and prevents cognitive decline. Biotin : It strengthens skin, hair and nails, which often become dry and brittle as we age. Zinc : This mineral supports your immune system.
Selenium and iodine : These minerals are key for thyroid function. Chromium: It boosts mood and helps us metabolise fats. Vitamin E : It assists with wound healing. Sign up for a weekly dose of Braincare, straight to your inbox.
Everything you need to know, every Sunday. Location Rest of World. Nutrition Benefits of vitamin supplements There are many benefits of vitamin supplements, but the science is complicated. Article breakdown. Improves mental health 2.
Improves cardiovascular health 3. Supports cognition and brain health 4. Increases energy levels 5. Supports healthy ageing.
Related articles. The 12 best brain foods for a healthy brain.
: Benefits of vitamin supplements| Supplements: Purpose, Types, Benefits, Risks | Boost blood circulation D—consumer. BMJ Open. Certain circumstances, such as nutrient deficiencies, conditions causing Beenefits. Many people struggle with their mental health. USDA provides information on a variety of food and nutrition topics. Can You Overdose on Vitamins? |
| The benefits of vitamin supplements | from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. April 7, If you take a multivitamin, it's probably because you want to do everything you can to protect your health. What we know about multivitamins so far Despite all the research on vitamins and health, we have only a handful of rigorous scientific studies on the benefits of a "true" multivitamin: a pill that provides essential vitamins and minerals at the relatively low levels that the body normally requires. For now, you can take certain steps: Ask your doctor if you really need to take a multivitamin. Could you have a vitamin deficiency? Assess your diet. Do you eat as healthy as you could? Is anything lacking? Do you want expert nutritional advice? See a dietician. Also, Medicare beneficiaries get an annual "wellness" visit with their primary care providers. Do not take high doses of specific vitamins, especially A and E. These may actually be harmful. What does the evidence suggest? Physicians' Health Study II Researchers looked at the effect of long-term multivitamin use in healthy men on various aspects of health. Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? However, much packaged food in the U. is already fortified with additional nutrients, making nutritional deficiencies uncommon in the general population. For most people, supplements may offer questionable benefit. In an analysis published in in the BMJ , Zhang reviewed results from several trials and found no clear evidence that nutritional supplements like vitamins and minerals are helpful in healthy people for preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. The evidence is even more muddled for certain plant-derived dietary supplements known as botanicals, such as echinacea and ginkgo. Scientists have tried to decipher the effects of many botanicals or nutritional supplements, but the field is still littered with weak or contradictory results. Many of the health claims that companies slap on their supplement labels may extrapolate results seen in animals to humans or make too much of what are still preliminary findings. As a result, consumers may not know what to make of supplement claims and may be confused about which supplements are useful. Food and Drug Administration FDA. Manufacturers are not required to prove that their supplements are effective or safe before they market them. And supplements are not held to the same manufacturing standards as drugs, which can lead to adulterated or substandard products. Cohen has previously suggested changes to the current regulations, including standardizing manufacturing processes, carefully vetting new ingredients, and creating higher standards for the claims manufacturers can make about their supplements. But for now, consumers can keep a few things in mind when deciding whether to take supplements. Also be aware that some supplements may contain a much higher dose in a single pill or serving than you need. They may also not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding, before a surgery, or during cancer treatment or other medical treatments. Consumers should also know how to spot poor-quality products. He cites certain certifications, such as USP or NSF International , as a sign of higher-quality products. Watch out for weight-loss supplements, muscle builders, and sexual enhancers, which previous investigations have found are sometimes adulterated with illegal or obscured ingredients, such as pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic chemicals. |
| 1. Improves mental health | So what can you do to take better care of your mental health? Prostate Health and Supplements: Know the Facts Supplements are often advertised to support prostate health, but you may wonder whether…. High-dose vitamin E supplements have been linked to higher rates of early death mortality. BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Their popularity has increased rapidly in the past few decades 1 , 2. Some studies have shown prostate , breast and lung cancer risk are not decreased by taking high-dose supplements containing vitamins E or C or selenium. The main exception to this is folate. |
| related stories | The most common ones are multivitamin and multimineral supplements. Making Sense of Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the foods and nutrients you need to stay healthy explains the evidence behind the benefits and safety profiles of various vitamins and minerals. It also includes the recommended minimum and maximum amounts you should consume, as well as good food sources of each. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. April 7, If you take a multivitamin, it's probably because you want to do everything you can to protect your health. What we know about multivitamins so far Despite all the research on vitamins and health, we have only a handful of rigorous scientific studies on the benefits of a "true" multivitamin: a pill that provides essential vitamins and minerals at the relatively low levels that the body normally requires. For now, you can take certain steps: Ask your doctor if you really need to take a multivitamin. Could you have a vitamin deficiency? Assess your diet. Do you eat as healthy as you could? Is anything lacking? Do you want expert nutritional advice? See a dietician. Also, Medicare beneficiaries get an annual "wellness" visit with their primary care providers. Do not take high doses of specific vitamins, especially A and E. These may actually be harmful. What does the evidence suggest? Physicians' Health Study II Researchers looked at the effect of long-term multivitamin use in healthy men on various aspects of health. The protective effect was greatest in men with a history of cancer. Vision: Lower risk of developing cataracts. Cardiovascular disease: No protection against heart attacks , strokes , or death from cardiovascular disease. Brain: No protection against declining memory or mental skills. Caveat: Because of PHSII's design, the findings on memory loss and vision are somewhat more likely to be chance findings than the cancer and cardiovascular disease results. Share This Page Share this page to Facebook Share this page to Twitter Share this page via Email. Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, is an often-overlooked…. Zinc is involved in many important processes in your body and absolutely essential for…. Calcium has many benefits, but most people aren't getting enough of this mineral. Here is…. Magnesium is a very important nutrient that most people don't get enough of. Here are 10…. Vitamin D is essential for health, but it can be hard to get enough of it from your diet…. Iron is a mineral that serves important functions in your body, but many people don't get…. Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient, which aids your metabolism and nervous…. Omega-3 needs vary by individual. This article reviews how much omega-3 you need for…. The ideal dose of vitamin B12 varies based on your sex, age, and reasons for taking it…. Zinc is absolutely essential for good health, but consuming too much can have several side…. Taking vitamins is part of the daily routine of millions of people worldwide. This article…. Folic acid supplements are generally safe — unless you take too much. Here are 4 folic…. While fish oil has many health benefits to offer, more is not always better. Here are 9…. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that can build up in your body if taken in excess…. Probiotics are microorganisms that provide a health benefit when consumed. Biotin is an essential vitamin that helps regulate energy metabolism and cellular function. Krill oil can help with heart health, brain health, and inflammation. Here are the 11 best…. You may wonder whether supplementing with vitamin D can help reduce your risk of…. Supplements are often advertised to support prostate health, but you may wonder whether…. With so much information packed onto every product label, it can be tricky to know where…. Certain circumstances, such as nutrient deficiencies, conditions causing malabsorption…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Editor's Picks. Try it or Toss it? The Supplements You Need and the Ones You Can Skip Overwhelmed by the supplement aisle? The 15 Best Fish Oil Supplements of , According to Dietitians See our top 15 picks for fish oil supplements in Vitamin B12 folate deficiency anemia Signs and Symptoms Vitamin B12 is an important water-soluble vitamin that many people are deficient…. The Best Vegan Sources of Vitamin D Vitamin D is essential for good health, but many people, especially vegans, may…. B-Complex Vitamins: Benefits, Side Effects, and Dosage Vitamin B complex includes B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B Top 6 Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements Consuming collagen may have a variety of health benefits, from relieving joint pain to…. Zinc: Everything You Need to Know Zinc is a nutrient that plays many vital roles in your body. Vitamin D — A Detailed Beginner's Guide This is a detailed article about vitamin D and its health effects. Folic Acid: Everything You Need to Know Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 that's often added to fortified foods and…. The 7 Best Types of Protein Powder There are hundreds of different protein powders available. Nutrient Deficiencies. Vitamin D Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments Vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common in Western countries. |
| Do I need vitamin supplements? - NHS | Millions vita,in readers rely on Boost blood circulation. What Dental care multivitamins? Suoplements people mistakenly Benefits of vitamin supplements that since small amounts of vitamins are good for you, then large amounts must be better. They may also contain other ingredients like herbs, amino acidsand fatty acids. The most common ones are multivitamin and multimineral supplements. What to know about benefits, marketing. Show Your Heart Some Love! |
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