SHOULD YOU TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS?
Studies conducted by the Food and Drug Administration reveal that about 50 percent of Americans take vitamin and/or mineral supplements. The percentage seems high, especially considering the fact that if your diet is balanced, supplements are not required. Most of the vitamin deficiency disorders have been eliminated by today’s varied and fresh food supply.
Eating a variety of foods should provide you with sufficient amounts of all vitamins. Excessive amounts of some vitamins, such as A and D, may actually be harmful. That’s why supplements should be taken only on the advice of a physician. Some multivitamin supplements contain as much as five times the recommended daily allowance of certain vitamins.
In certain circumstance, a doctor may recommend vitamin supplements. Such circumstances might include a person who is taking certain drugs which reduce the-intestinal absorption of vitamins, or for some women who are pregnant or who are breast-feeding. In any case, even though excessive amounts of most vitamins may not be harmful, you should consult your doctor before you use a vitamin supplement.
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