Related Articles
Butt sculpting workouts»Read More
Alcohol: how much is REALLY too much?
»Read More
Low fat bacon and spinach pasta
»Read More
Why can’t I lose weight?
»Read More
Eat right, avoid flu!
»Read More
Love it, Win it!
 |
WIN gorgeous treats from Montagne Jeunesse!Enter Now |
|---|
 |
WIN Glee: the Music, the Graduation!Enter Now |
|---|
Who needs vitamin supplements?
For most of us in New Zealand, a healthy balanced diet will provide us with all the nutrients that we need for optimal health. Vitamin and mineral supplements are needed for certain people, for example if someone is diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency, or has increased nutritional requirements due to diet restrictions, but high-doses of vitamin and mineral supplements can actually be dangerous.
If you’re getting your five+ a day along with wholegrain cereals, lean meat or alternatives and low fat dairy products then you should be getting all the nutrients your body needs.
So who needs supplements?
Examples of people who might need to take supplements include:
- Pregnant Women. Folic acid reduces the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. It is recommended that a folic acid supplement of 800μg (0.8mg) per day is taken by women for 4 weeks before conception and 12 weeks afterwards.
Pregnant women also have high iodine requirements and should take an iodine supplement.
- Vegans. Vegans (who eliminate all animal products from the diet) are advised to take a vitamin B12 supplement. They may also need iron and calcium supplements.
- Milk avoiders. For those who consume little or no milk products, because of an intolerance or for any other reason, a calcium supplement may be necessary.
- People who are iron deficient. For diagnosed iron-deficiency anaemia, iron supplements may be necessary.
- People not exposed to sunlight. For people with low sunlight exposure, and for housebound people, a vitamin D supplement may be necessary.
What if I just want to take them to stay healthy?
For those who wish to take a supplement as an insurance policy to ensure they are getting everything they need, then it is best to choose a general multi vitamin/mineral supplement that provides a wide range of nutrients at levels that are around the ‘recommended daily intake’. Mega-dosing or taking multiple supplements is not recommended and can be dangerous, so it’s best to talk to your doctor, a dietitian or health professional about it first.
Original article by Amanda Johnson courtesy of dietitians.org.nz
|
I hate reading everywhere that if you don’t consume dairy you might need calcium supplements. Dairy isn’t the best calcium source. Would love to see some encouragment for people to get calcium from vegetable sources! Calcium without cholesterol. =] Posted by Larawr "on" 02/11 "at"10:00 PM |
Best of the rest
