Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Sugested by the AMICOR Jorge Ossanai

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Do You Really Need Them?

Do you take a dietary supplement? If so, you're in good company: More than half of all U.S. adults take at least one daily or occasionally. But a group of researchers are now saying that vitamin and mineral supplements may be doing some people more harm than good. Two recent studies are questioning the long-term safety of multivitamins for older women and vitamin E supplements for men, and show the need for more research on this important subject. More...

• Over age 50. You may need vitamin B12 and calcium, commonly low in older adults, and vitamin D, which is harder for skin to synthesize from sunlight as we age.
• A postmenopausal woman. You may need extra calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong.
• Dark skinned or have limited sun exposure (less than 15 minutes a day). You may not be getting enough vitamin D from the sun alone.
• Frail or elderly and unable to eat sufficient amounts of food. A poor appetite or illness may prevent you from getting essential nutrients.
• Suffering from nutritional deficiencies from a restricted diet. If you have a food allergy, are a vegan or have undergone weight-loss surgery, for example, you may not be able to get all your nutrients from food.
• Suffering from a medical condition. Some illnesses, such as cancer, anemia and celiac disease, cause nutritional deficiencies and require therapeutic doses of supplements.
• Undergoing medical treatment. Some medicines, such as cancer drugs and proton pump inhibitors, can interfere with nutrient absorption or use.
• Diagnosed with a chronic illness for which supplements are part of treatment. People with age-related macular degeneration, for example, may benefit from high doses of certain vitamins and minerals to slow vision loss.

A word of caution. Be cautious about the supplements you take and why you're taking them. Don't take supplements before consulting with your doctor or a dietitian for guidance. He or she can identify any nutritional gaps you may have and make recommendations.