Frequently asked questions
Are Health Supplements For You?
The past two decades has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people wanting to take responsibility for their own health, and greater interest in the role played by diet in maintaining good health. It has also seen an increase in the number of health supplements available in the UK as well as a growing awareness of the benefits of health supplements for many people.
However the increase in products now widely available, as well as the publication of information on health supplements that is often conflicting, has inevitably resulted in some confusion amongst consumers.
The Health Supplements Information Service was set up in 1999 to provide up-to-date information about vitamins, minerals and food supplements and this information has been produced to answer some of the most common questions asked about these products.
It is clear that many of us can benefit from supplements at certain times in our lives and I hope that after reading this booklet you will be able to make more confident decisions about your own nutritional requirements.
Question |
Does everybody get enough nutrients from their diet? If I take supplements, do I really need to bother about what I eat? Are supplements only for body builders and athletes? Are most supplements taken by young people or pregnant women? How long do you need to take supplements for? Are they a quick fix? Do you have to take supplements with food? Is it OK to take various different supplements at the same time? Can you easily overdose on supplements? Water soluble vitamins - such as the B group vitamins and vitamin C - cannot be stored by the body to any great extent, so if you take in more than your body needs, they are simply excreted. The fat soluble vitamins A and D can accumulate in the body, but pose no danger to health if consumed within the safe upper limit indicated for them. The exception is in pregnancy, when large amounts of vitamin A may pose a risk to the developing infant. Pregnant women should seek advice from a doctor before taking a supplement containing vitamin A and people with blood clotting disorders should seek a doctor's advice before taking supplements containing vitamin E. Finally, it is worth stating that quantities in excess of what we need or what is recommended may be harmful for a few individuals and that individual sensitivities and variations in response can occur, so if any unexpected symptoms appear whilst taking a particular supplement, medical advice should be sought. How much of a supplement is safe to take? Can some supplements stop medicines from working? Can too much vitamin C be harmful? Does Vitamin B6 cause nerve damage? Are dietary supplements unnecessary and a waste of money? Is the “supplements” industry is worth a huge amount of money? |
