Is It Necessary to Take Supplements?

TheNHSstates, “Most people do not need to take vitamin supplements and can get all the vitamins and minerals they need by eatinga healthy, balanced diet… Many people choose to take supplements, but taking too much or taking them for too long could be harmful. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends certain supplements for some people at risk of deficiency.”

To take supplements, we must understand the reason, amount, and frequency. We need to take time to monitor these things (and speak with a doctor about them) to avoid falling prey to taking too many supplements, overdosing, and taking supplements that could do more damage than good.

Additional Insight fromHarvard Health Publishingsays, “Even though supplements are popular, there is limited evidence that they offer any significant health benefits. A study published online on May 28, 2018, by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the four most commonly used supplements — multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C — did not protect against cardiovascular disease.”

According toPenn Medicine, as of 2020, “The most common supplementcontains fish oil, omega 3, DHA, or EPA fatty acids.”

The most common forms of supplements tend to come in a multivitamin.

Penn Medicinesuggests that the following vitamins can benefit your health. These include:

Some supplements can enhance your health. Certain supplements can improve certain aspects of your body depending on your current health and situation.

According toNews in Health (NIH), “Evidence does suggest that some supplements can enhance health in different ways. The most popular nutrient supplements are multivitamins, calcium and vitamins B, C and D. Calcium supports bone health, and vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants—molecules that prevent cell damage and help to maintain health.”

After certain studies,Hopkins Medicinestated, “The researchers concluded that multivitamins don’t reduce the risk for heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline (such as memory loss and slowed-down thinking) or an early death.”

If you are looking to take supplements for your health, there have been proven to be some benefits.

If you are looking for easy ways to bypass, reduce, or prevent certain diseases (cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease), supplements are not shown to produce any benefits.

The decision is up to you, but consult your local healthcare provider before buying and experimenting with supplements.

For further reading on supplements, view our articles on our learning center on: