How do I know if I need to take supplements?
Dr. Parikh: As the name suggests, supplements are meant to add something you don’t get enough of in your diet. It is very important to think about supplements in addition to what you should get from your diet.
I recommend supplements to my patients, but I always tell them it’s a bridge. Supplements are meant to fill in the gaps until your diet reaches a sufficient level. So I always tell people: Before you think about whether you’re lacking in nutrients, ask yourself whether you’re eating an ideal diet. Consider adopting more of a Mediterranean or plant-based diet and avoid processed and fast foods.
And this also applies to children. We should take advantage of the opportunity to train our children to eat a healthy and balanced diet. It doesn’t mean eating candy and then eating multivitamin gummy bears.
Should I consult a doctor before taking vitamins or supplements?
There is no downside to having a baseline blood test. These can be done as part of your annual health exam. I treat supplements like any other medicine. When prescribing medication, a blood test is first performed. For example, when prescribing diabetes medication, I first test the patient’s blood to see if they have diabetes. Then I will find out how serious it is and check the appropriate dosage of the medicine. Blood tests are then repeated to see if the medicine is working and if the dosage needs to be adjusted.
I think the same way when considering supplements. Often, when I see a patient for the first time, I undergo a baseline series of blood tests to check the patient’s vitamin and mineral levels and see if they are deficient in any of them. Masu. Vitamins such as iron, B12, folic acid, and D can be easily checked with a blood test. A complete metabolic panel often checks things like sodium, potassium, and calcium. From there, he may suggest a multivitamin for those who are deficient in two or more different vitamins.
What should I look out for when purchasing supplements and multivitamins?
Check the label for the daily value percentage. For example, if it says 200% Vitamin C, you basically know that you are getting about 200% of your recommended daily value for Vitamin C. I tell my patients that they want it to be between 50% and 200%.
When purchasing a multivitamin, make sure the ingredient list lists all vitamins along with their daily intake percentages.
Another thing to keep in mind is that vitamins can be classified into water-soluble and fat-soluble. Some vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K, are fat-soluble and can be taken in excess or in excess. This is one reason why blood tests are really necessary. You want to know if you need a certain vitamin, what the right dose is, and if you’re absorbing the right amount.
The body is able to eliminate excess amounts of water-soluble vitamins. Examples of water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C, B vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B12. However, if you are taking fat-soluble vitamins, you do not necessarily need to exceed the recommended daily intake.
Are there any particular populations or age groups for which supplements are highly recommended?
absolutely. Pregnant women require supplements due to their dietary and nutritional needs. And it’s important to get blood tests as part of your regular checkups to ensure you’re taking the right dose.
People with IBS issues or autoimmune diseases of the gut that impair the ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients from food may benefit from supplements.
Older adults may also need supplements if they don’t make enough changes in their diet.
