Nutritional health with multivitamins and minerals

Multivitamins and Minerals

Combination of distinct types of vitamins and minerals generally found in natural sources, such as fruits and vegetables, make up multivitamin and mineral supplements. Plenty of fresh food needs to be taken in order to get the daily dosage of vitamins and minerals so many individuals opt for taking them in a form of dietary supplements. In the UK, multivitamin and mineral products are the most commonly consumed dietary supplement with approximately 40 percent of the population taking some form on a daily basis. Multimineral products may not contain any vitamins while vice versa is usually not true. Multivitamins and minerals are also often consumed to help with different types of states or conditions, such as pregnancy, poor dietary habits, enhancing the positive effects or decreasing the side effects of certain medications, as well as with different digestive tract disorders.

Side Effects of Vitamins and Minerals

It should be noted that taking more than the prescribed dosage can be very dangerous as it can lead to a disorder called hypervitaminosis, or a vitamin overdose. Signs and symptoms of a vitamin overdose are numerous and include abdominal pain, vomiting, loose bowel, constipation, and a loss of appetite. Further, hypervitaminosis may lead to hair loss, peeling of the skin and weight loss. Changes in menstrual cycles are often observed as well, and so are bloody urine, headaches and joint and muscle pain. Consumers of vitamin and mineral supplements should avoid dairy products and anything that contains large amounts of calcium, for it makes it problematic for the body to absorb some vitamins. In addition, many medical care professionals advise that only one supplementary product is taken at once. When it comes to taking too many minerals, the adverse consequences which can arise include muscle weakness, skipping heart beat, tooth staining, frequent urination, and stomach bleeding. Every vitamin and mineral package comes with a label of ingredients it contains, and it is very important that individuals who are taking them be familiar with both their positive and negative events. In general, dietary supplements of any sort should not be taken without consulting with the primary health care professional or a pharmacist. Certain types of underlying or chronic medical conditions or the medications one is taking to treat them may not be compatible with some vitamins and minerals. Also, any woman who is trying to get pregnant should ask her doctor to recommend the dietary supplement as some can do more harm than good. There are numerous types of prenatal vitamins which aid in the baby’s development but they need to be prescribed by a doctor. At the same time, women who are breast feeding should not be taking any vitamins or minerals without permission from a health care provider as they are passed on to the baby and may cause detriment.

How Should Vitamins and Minerals Be Taken?

It is recommended that vitamins and minerals are taken with a full glass of water in order to dissolve better. They should not be cut into smaller pieces but rather taken as a whole. Also, tablets that are chewable should not be swallowed, but can also be dissolved in juice or water, and as already mentioned should not be taken with milk. In order to get the most benefit it is advised that any types of dietary supplements are taken regularly and without skipping dosages. In case an individual misses a dose he or she needs to take it as soon as they remember, but if it is too close to the next dose the skipped one should not be taken. If a person takes too much vitamins or mineral and experiences some of the symptoms of an overdose it is crucial that they seek medical attention as soon as possible. In addition, if the supplements contain potassium salt needs to be avoided as much as possible in the daily diet. Using a dose measuring device allows individuals to take the right amount of multivitamins and minerals, and is available from a pharmacy. If the supplement is in a liquid form it should not be kept frozen while the tablets need room temperature and should be kept dry. Multivitamins and minerals need to be stored in their original packages.

Benefits of Multivitamins and Minerals

The primary purpose of vitamins and minerals is to maintain the overall good health. As numerous types of nutrients are included in the supplements, taking them usually leads to positive results. Also, many clinical and research studies are showing that those who are regularly taking vitamins and minerals are at a reduced risk for developing many serious conditions, such as heart problems. Most individuals who take the time to prepare healthy meals on a regular basis do get the required dosage of minerals and vitamins but at the same time certain age and ethnic groups who are prone to specific health problems are advised to be taking these supplements to maintain their well being.