Supplements became hugely popular in the last decade to treat deficiencies and boost various body functions. People who work out use supplements to promote muscle growth and gain energy during exercise. If you are suffering from hormone or vitamin deficiency, you can get off-the-shelf supplements to get your daily intake of these vitamins. However, there have been cases where some people became too reliant on supplements and started taking more than the required dose. Although most of them are made from natural ingredients, it’s not particularly safe to use any supplement before understanding what it is and if you actually need it. Here are a few things you need to know before taking supplements or pill products.
Supplements Don’t Replace a Healthy Lifestyle
Taking supplements every day doesn’t mean you are leading a healthy lifestyle. Supplements support this lifestyle but they’re not the basis of being healthy. If someone doesn’t exercise, eats junk food all the time, and smokes heavily, taking supplements will not make them live or feel better. It all starts with leading a healthy lifestyle, and if you want to boost body function or treat a deficiency, then supplements will have the desired effect.
Everyone Is Different
There is no magic solution that works for everyone on the planet. What worked for your friend may not necessarily work for you. Popping a pill or drinking a supplement shake won’t improve your performance unless you are taking the right supplement for what you need to be targeted. For instance, vitamin B12 comes from meat, fish, and dairy foods, so vegans should look for a supplement that will provide them with this vitamin.
Pregnant women need iron to avoid birth defects while breastfeeding mothers require other things. An elderly person requires a set of nutrients different than a bodybuilder. Before taking any supplements or pills, you must consult with your doctor or dietician to find what your body really needs.
Look For Natural Ingredients
Most supplements are made from natural ingredients which reduce the side effects significantly. However, chemical compounds are present in various supplements and pill products. People who try to lose weight use phentermine which is a prescription medication that suppresses appetite. Phentermine has various side effects because of its chemical compounds, but you can find natural alternatives to phentermine that will make you avoid increased heart rate, sleeplessness, and other side effects. Make sure to read the label before consuming any kind of supplements or pills to make sure they are safe, and it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins vs. Water-Soluble
When you consume water-soluble vitamin pills, the body takes what it needs from them and gets rid of the rest through urine. On the other hand, the body stores fat-soluble vitamins in the liver or fatty tissues as they can be used later. It is required to have a continuous daily intake of water-soluble vitamins while fat-soluble ones such as vitamins K, E, D, and A, must be monitored so you don’t take more than what you need.
The More Isn’t the Better
Contrary to popular belief, taking a lot of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can have harmful effects on your body. Having too much of certain vitamins like vitamin B6 can be dangerous as it causes nerve pain. You can experience nausea and diarrhea if you have consumed vitamin C in large doses while fat-soluble vitamins can be toxic. Read the label on every supplement to know about the maximum intake allowed, as every vitamin or mineral has a different recommended dosage.
Supplements Can Interfere with Medications
If you take a medication regularly to treat a certain health condition, taking supplements might affect the efficiency of the medication or even have a negative interaction with it. Even supplements made from natural ingredients can have side effects if mixed with other medications. Talk to your doctor about the supplements you intend to take and see if they are safe to be consumed with your regular medication.
Calculate Your Intake from Food
Your diet consists of various foods that contain different kinds of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that you must consider while using supplements. Additionally, some fortified foods such as milk, bread, eggs, and yogurt have more vitamins and minerals added to them during production.
Taking supplements is usually safe as long as they are consumed in moderation. Visit your doctor or dietician to know the recommended dosage of any supplement or pill product you intend to use and to know if they interfere with your medications. Finally, learn everything you can about a supplement before taking it. After all, overdosing can have diverse negative effects on your health.
