Do You Really Need A Multivitamin?
Which vitamins protect your eyesight?
Can B12 give you more energy?
What's the difference between vitamins & minerals?
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Can Vitamin C ward off a cold?
- When researchers reviewed more than a decade’s worth of findings, they found that megadoses of vitamin C don’t prevent colds for most people.
- Some studies suggest it might help you get over the symptoms a little faster but it won't
make them less severe.
Which nutrients might protect your eyesight as you age?
- Studies show that many different vitamins & minerals may lower your risk for an eye
problem called macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in people over 65. - A balanced diet loaded with fruits & vegetables should give you all you need.
- If your risk is still high, your doctor may recommend a supplement along with lifestyle
changes. - Please don't smoke!
What do Scientists think?
- Scientists first thought that vitamins were amino acids, the building blocks of protein.
- Today, we know of 13 types that are essential for good health.
- You can usually get all you need from a balanced diet.
- Some people, especially those who limit certain foods, may benefit from supplements.
- The government recommends a daily amount for most vitamins & minerals, as well as the maximum amount that scientists think is safe.
Does Vitamin B give you more energy?
- It's definitely important to get enough B12.
- Too little of it can cause anemia, memory loss, confusion & tingling in your arms & legs.
- But there’s little evidence that taking it makes you a better athlete or gives you more energy.
- A diet that includes meat, fish or dairy products should give you enough.
Which Vitamins & Minerals keep your bones strong?
- Most people know that calcium & vitamin D are important for healthy bones.
- But new research shows that other nutrients, including magnesium, potassium & vitamin K
help, too. - If you have a high risk of brittle, thinning bones, called osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend a calcium & vitamin D supplement.
What's the difference betweem Vitamins & Minerals?
- Your body needs vitamins for growth, digestion & nerve function.
- Minerals support cells & help different parts of your body do their jobs.
- Vitamins are known by letters of the alphabet: A, B, C, D, E & K.
- Examples of minerals include calcium, which builds bone & makes blood clot & iron, which
helps your blood carry oxygen.
Can the color of your urine wheather you're getting enough Vitamins?
- Some vitamins, including C & B, can turn your pee a bright orange or even yellow-green
if you take more than you need & that's syour kidneys getting rid of the excess. - Don't test it out because it can be dangerous to get too much of some nutrients.
- But the recommended amounts of most vitamins & minerals don't color your urine.
What does your doctor think you need?
- Your doctor may recommend a vitamin or mineral supplement if you are Pregnant & breast feeding because Pregnanat women often need more nutrients.
- Other people may take vitamin or mineral supplements to fill a specific gap.
- Those on special diets, such as vegans, may not get enough from food.
- Other people may have trouble absorbing all the nutrients they need, including:
1. Those with some medical conditions, such as inflamatory bowel disease.
2. People who have had some types of weight loss surgery.
3. Anyone who takes some medications for seizeures or heartburn.
4. Those who use Asprin often.
5. Talk to your doctor, if you think you need a supplement.
Are Vitamins & Minerals safe no matter how much you take?
- Supplements can be a good way to make sure you get enough nutrients, but many vitamins
& minerals can be toxic if you take too much. - For example.
1. A lot of vitamin A can cause nausea, vomiting & liver damage.
2. Too much vitamin D can cause weakness, & iron, the excess can build up in your organs
& tissues & damage your kidneys or liver.
Which food is the best source of Vitamin C?
- Citrus fruits may be the best-known source of vitamin C, but many other fruits & vegetables have it, too.
- Most adults need between 75 & 90 milligrams a day.
- A1/2 C of sweet red pepper does the trick which is about the same as a 6oz glass of orange juice.
Which Nutrient would be hard to get
if you're on a vegetarian or vegan diet?
- Vitamin B is mostly in foods from animal sources, including meat, eggs & dairy products.
- If you don't eat these, you may not be getting enough B12.
- Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a supplement.
Studies have not proved that
Antioxident vitamin supplements prevent cancer.
- Researchers continue to study whether some antioxidants prevent the kind of genetic
damage that can turn cells into cancer. - But there is no evidence that taking these supplements will lower your risk for the disease.
- If you’re getting cancer treatment, talk to your doctor before you take any.
- Some research suggests that antioxidant supplements may keep some cancer-fighting medicines from working.
Do Men need more iron than Women?
- Women who still have their periods usually need more iron because they lose a little with
each menstrual cycle. - Experts say pre-menopausal women should get 18 milligrams a day.
- Men usually need only 8 milligrams a day.
- Pregnant women should get 27 milligrams a day.
Is a multivitamin a good way to make sure you get enough nutrients?
- Experts are deeply divided on multivitamins.
- A lot of recent studies have found that healthy people don't benefit from them.
- Even those who have taken one every day for ears don't appear to be healthier or to live longer.
- But other scientists believe that they can help fill in for what's missing in many people's
diets. - Experts do agree that the best source for vitamins & minerals is food, not pills.
Do you know which Vitamin group
Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine & Cobalamin belong to?
- These are all different forms of B vitamins.
- They help your body with many important jobs, including changing food into energy.
- Whole grains, beans, nuts, meat, eggs & fish are good sources of many different forms
of B vitamins. - Vitamin B12, on the other hand, is found almost exclusively in foods from animal sources.
Why is Vitamin D called the Sunshine Vitamin?
- People with dark skin may be more likely to have low vitamin D levels.
- Older people also might not have enough because skin gets less efficient at converting
sunlight to vitamin D as you age. - If you stay out of the sun because of sensitive skin or the risk of cancer, you may also need extra D.
- Talk to your doctor.
- A simple blood test can show whether you have as much as you need.
Why is Folic Acid put in foods like fortified cereals?
- Folic acid helps prevent birth defects, specifically problems with the brain & spinal cord.
- Because it's so important during pregnancy, doctors say pregnant women & those who
want to have a baby should take a supplement to make sure they get enough.
Which mineral can help you keep your blood pressure under control?
- Teens & adults should get 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day.
- Many foods have this nutrient, so it's rare that people don't get enough from their diet.
- Potassium rich foods include many fruits & vegetables, milk, meat & whole grains.
- This mineral helps keep your heart beating regularly & one study found that taking it
lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number). - Reducing blood pressure lowers the risk of stroke, heart disease, heart failure & kidney disease.
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