Shelves are stacked high with different supplements and vitamins but have you ever wondered how healthy or useful they actually are?
To be honest, I have always been a little hesitant about taking supplements and vitamins. However, I decided to start taking Evonia vitamin capsules after they were recommended to me by a friend. These capsules are produced by Finnish Hankintatukku – the leading Nordic food supplement manufacturer. The reason for this addition to my diet was due to the fact that my hair had become quite damaged. Surprisingly the supplement has helped: the rate of growth has increased and the condition has improved significantly.
I believe that there are some trustworthy labels out there but the problem is identifying them amongst the mass of unreliable products available. It’s important to consider the necessity of these supplements and to be aware of the ingredients of the pills you plan to take.
Myths vs facts:
1. Myth: Supplements can help prevent conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Fact: There are numerous studies online which claim to prove the efficiency of supplements, however you need to be aware that nutritional supplements or vitamins do not count as medication, nor do anything more than simply filling the nutritional gaps in your diet. Before considering taking supplements with the aim of preventing a specific disease, you must consult with your doctor. In some cases supplements can interfere with other medication you may be taking.
2. Myth: Taking supplements compensates for an unhealthy diet.
Fact: Supplements are not designed in any way to replace food. The variety of nutrients in food are an important part of a healthy diet. Therefore, it is crucial to bear in mind that you can not rely solely on supplements, you still have to follow a healthy eating plan too.
3. Myth: The best supplements are those labelled “all natural”.
Fact: Don’t be fooled by the “all natural” tags, since not all the products offer the claimed benefits. Instead, you should pay close attention to the nutritional information label. The percentage of the contained nutrients should be listed as providing 100% to be truly “all natural”. However, this dosage should not exceed 300% of the daily recommended value; the higher the percentage of the dosage, the higher the risk that the supplements could accumulate to toxic levels in your body. Symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches and appetite loss can be caused by an excessive intake of vitamin A.
Opinions:
“Vitamin supplements were prescribed as part of my eating disorder recovery because I wasn’t able to restore my vitamin & mineral needs as quickly as I should. I was supplementing calcium and vitamin D for about 6 months and yes, I believe the results were evident in the increased strength of my bones and by the overall improvement of the appearance of my skin. – Mandy Lutman
“I used to be an elite athlete and I never opted for supplements. In my opinion, in most cases people would benefit much more from reconsidering their diet rather than taking supplements to “fix the damage”. I prefer to get all nutrients, vitamins and minerals through healthy and mostly organic food. While there are people with actual deficiencies, I believe that anyone should consult their doctor before venturing into taking something they know little about – as they can often be a complete waste of money and even have some unintended side effects.” – Johannes Musaeus