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Vitamin overdose?
continued from page 2
Vitamin pills - a waste of money or worth their weight in gold?
Certainly, vitamin and mineral supplements can be useful companions to the diet of certain individuals, during certain periods of their lives. Hectic lifestyles can make it difficult to follow a balanced diet. Taking a one-a-day multivitamin and mineral supplement, in amounts close to 100 per cent of their RDAs, is a good way to maintain health and prevent disease. This advice extends to individuals on restricted diets, such as slimmers, those who are ill, and fussy eaters. Remember that some vitamins, for example vitamin C and B are water soluble, so the body cannot store excess amounts. High doses of these vitamins will be excreted in the urine.
The following groups of people can benefit from vitamin and mineral supplements.
1. Young children. Vitamins A and D supplements in the from of drops should be given to children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, unless their diets are normally balanced and varied. Iron supplements may also be needed if meat, or iron-fortified formula milk is not included in the diet.
2. Women planning to become pregnant or are pregnant. Folic acid supplements are needed to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the unborn child. A daily 400ug folic acid supplement should be taken at least 3 months prior to becoming pregnant and until the 12th week of pregnancy. (Note: no other vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken, unless advised by a GP or antenatal clinic)
3. Breastfeeding women. Extra vitamin D (10ug vitamin D a day) can be taken to meet the additional needs caused by lactation.
4. Older people. Extra vitamin D is needed after the age of 65 because this cannot usually be met by diet or exposure to sunlight. A daily supplement of 10ug vitamin D is advisable. Vitamin B12 supplements may also be needed.
5. Vegans. Individuals who don't eat meat, fish, milk, dairy products or eggs have lower intakes of calcium, iodine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Usually, if fortified products are eaten, then supplements may not be necessary.
6. Smokers. People who smoke heavily may need additional vitamin C as they often have a higher turnover of vitamin C than non-smokers.
My top vitamin and mineral supplements
Vitamin pills - a waste of money or worth their weight in gold?
Certainly, vitamin and mineral supplements can be useful companions to the diet of certain individuals, during certain periods of their lives. Hectic lifestyles can make it difficult to follow a balanced diet. Taking a one-a-day multivitamin and mineral supplement, in amounts close to 100 per cent of their RDAs, is a good way to maintain health and prevent disease. This advice extends to individuals on restricted diets, such as slimmers, those who are ill, and fussy eaters. Remember that some vitamins, for example vitamin C and B are water soluble, so the body cannot store excess amounts. High doses of these vitamins will be excreted in the urine.
The following groups of people can benefit from vitamin and mineral supplements.
1. Young children. Vitamins A and D supplements in the from of drops should be given to children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, unless their diets are normally balanced and varied. Iron supplements may also be needed if meat, or iron-fortified formula milk is not included in the diet.
2. Women planning to become pregnant or are pregnant. Folic acid supplements are needed to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the unborn child. A daily 400ug folic acid supplement should be taken at least 3 months prior to becoming pregnant and until the 12th week of pregnancy. (Note: no other vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken, unless advised by a GP or antenatal clinic)
3. Breastfeeding women. Extra vitamin D (10ug vitamin D a day) can be taken to meet the additional needs caused by lactation.
4. Older people. Extra vitamin D is needed after the age of 65 because this cannot usually be met by diet or exposure to sunlight. A daily supplement of 10ug vitamin D is advisable. Vitamin B12 supplements may also be needed.
5. Vegans. Individuals who don't eat meat, fish, milk, dairy products or eggs have lower intakes of calcium, iodine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Usually, if fortified products are eaten, then supplements may not be necessary.
6. Smokers. People who smoke heavily may need additional vitamin C as they often have a higher turnover of vitamin C than non-smokers.
My top vitamin and mineral supplements
- Sanatogen Gold A-Z
- Sanatogen Classic 50+
- Centrum A-Z
- Multibionta probiotic multivitamin and mineral
- Boots Mum multivitamin (to be taken before and after pregnancy and up to the 12th week during pregnancy - see guidelines above)
- Abidec multivitamin drops (1-5 years)
- Tesco complete multivitamin and minerals
- Seven Seas multispectrum multivitamin and mineral capsules (suitable for vegetarians and vegans)
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