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Everything you Should Know About Taking Supplements

How and what supplement should we take? Read here to learn about importance of taking different types of supplements.

By Life PharmacyPublished about a year ago 6 min read
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The human body requires a balanced diet that provides nutrients to the body to remain energetic and fit. But as life is too busy our body does not get the required nutrients due to improper diet. So to fill up this nutrients gap people resort to supplements. But people have numerous questions about supplements in their minds. Are supplements good for me? Do supplements have positive results? How and what supplements should I take?

Read on and get a clear understanding of supplements, their benefits as well as ill-effects.

What are Supplements?

Food supplements as the name suggests are added tablets that provide the required nutrients that our body lacks due to improper diet. They help you to achieve a balance between the foods and nutrients. These supplements are available in form of tablets, capsules, powder, chewable gummies, soft gels, and liquids. They contain ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, fatty acids, and enzymes. They come in different types such as water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.

Benefits of Supplements:

Supplements are beneficial in many ways. They help to maintain good health and boost our immunity. They lower the risk of chronic diseases, age-related macular degeneration, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. They keep our heart and hair healthy, bones strong, eyes sparkling, and skin shining. They reduce stress and have a positive effect on our mood and depression level, and also improve the quality of sleep. Every person requires different supplements based on their age, health, geographical location, diet, and activity level. Supplements provide added nutrition for pregnant women and enhance the performance of athletes.

Risks:

Remember supplements cannot replace a balanced diet. It cannot give you all nutrients that a balanced diet can. Consuming fresh juices is a good substitute for supplements. Supplements are easily available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and online pharmacist. But it is advised to consult a doctor before starting any supplement and should be taken in appropriate proportion as prescribed by the doctor or manufacturer.

An overdose can be harmful and lead to health conditions like nausea, stomach cramps, hair loss, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, liver damage, and even mild nerve damage. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children should take supplements only if recommended by the health care provider.

Also, it is harmful to combine supplements with medicine, and substitute supplements with prescribed medicine. Many supplements contain active ingredients that cause biological effects. Thus it is unsafe to take too much vitamin A, vitamin D, or iron. Also, some supplements can have unwanted effects during and after surgery. So it is important to inform your doctor if you are taking any supplements. Get prescribed supplements from a reliable Online pharmacy.

Unlike drugs, supplements cannot be used to treat, diagnose, preventing, or curing diseases. Thus manufacturers should not make claims such as “lowers high cholesterol” or “treats heart diseases”. These claims are illegal and illegitimate.

Also, one should not get carried with the words “natural”, “no side effects”, and “works better than” on the labels of the supplements. These are only claims and not facts and in no way do they guarantee safety. Thus, do proper research and purchase quality supplements from pharmacies online.

Also, unlike prescribed medicines, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) cannot review the safety or efficacy of dietary supplements until they are sent to the market. If these supplements are found to be deceptive or contaminated FDA can take action only after they are marketed. Thus, it is recommended to purchase professional-grade supplements from trustworthy online pharmacy UK

Benefits and Side Effects of Different Supplements (if taken in large doses)

1.Vitamin A: Vitamin A supports our cell development, immune system, and vision. It is available in a range of foods like sweet potato, milk, spinach, pumpkin, carrot, eggs, salmon, and tuna. Taking vitamin A in a higher dose may lead to nausea, vomiting, double or blurred vision, headaches dizziness, liver damage, and lack of muscle coordination. Also, overdose can raise the chances of lung cancer in smokers and cause birth defects if you are pregnant.

2.Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant and boosts our immunity and keeps our tissue healthy. It is available in citrus fruits like oranges, broccoli, and bell pepper. Overdose can trigger tumor growth and interfere with cancer treatment. It also causes stomach issues and kidney stones.

3.Vitamin D: Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium and reduces bone breakage and osteoporosis. It is widely available in natural sunlight. Too much vitamin D can raise calcium levels in our body and affects our heart and kidneys.

4.Vitamin K: Similar to vitamin D, Vitamin K is also involved with calcium metabolism and bone health. They assist in transporting calcium to bones and prevent calcium build up in the arteries. Overdose can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners.

5.Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. They dissolve in fat and moves across the cell walls of the small intestines. These dissolved vitamins are absorbed and carried into the bloodstream. These supplements should be taken only if you are deficient. Unnecessary high doses can lead to the accumulation of fat in tissues and result in toxicity.

6.Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods like fish, beef, and eggs. High doses of B12 can lead to rash, itchy dry skin, fatigue, and trouble swallowing.

7.Water-soluble vitamins: Vitamin C and eight B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, folate, biotin, and B12) are water-soluble vitamins. These vitamins dissolve in water. Except for Vitamin B12, the water-soluble vitamins are not stored in our body and the excess amount flushes out through urine.

8.Niacin: Niacin is most important as it converts food into energy. It is available in foods like tuna, mushrooms, and green peas. Diabetic people should be careful while taking niacin as it affects blood sugar levels. Overdose can lead to itching and burning.

9.Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 converts protein and sugar into energy, creates hemoglobin, and supports the nervous system. It is found in pork, eggs, and soya beans. Too much Vitamin B6 can lead to light sensitivity and skin and nerve damage.

10.Minerals- iron, calcium, and magnesium: calcium and iron should never be taken together nor magnesium and calcium. Iron pills should be taken in small doses on an empty stomach or hours after engaging in any physical activity. Iron absorption enhances when combined with vitamin C and decreases when combined with calcium. Similar to iron, magnesium should also be taken on an empty stomach or one hour before a meal or two hours after a meal.

11.Vitamin D enhances its absorption while calcium reduces it. A high dose of magnesium causes diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps. Calcium citrate malate or calcium sulfate is the best calcium supplement. Calcium absorption is enhanced when paired with vitamin D. High dose can cause constipation, formation of kidney stones, and increases the risk for heart diseases.

Conclusion:

The above information should take the place of a medical advisor. Do not self-analyze and follow trends. Take only those supplements that your body needs. It is recommended to consult a health practitioner before ordering any supplements from Pharmacy online. If intake of any supplement causes serious reaction or illness stop taking it and inform your health provider.

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About the Creator

Life Pharmacy

Life Pharmacy, the leading online pharmacy that provides services such as online NHS and Private prescriptions, weight loss, asthma inhalers, erectile dysfunction tablets and much more. Get in touch with us at our website to learn more.

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