You know that vitamins and minerals are necessary for a healthy life. However, you may think that not all essential nutrients can be availed from dietary sources and in required amounts. This, in turn, paves the way for the use of nutritional supplements to prevent various health conditions. Calcium supplements are found in every single household's medicine cabinet, and it is used by people from varying age groups on a daily basis. In fact, those who exercise also take calcium supplements to stay fit, besides menopausal women or those suffering from
osteoporosis or
arthritis. But should you be taking dietary supplements?
Nutritionist Khyati Rupani suggests that you should not take dietary supplements. According to her, you should get all the nutrients from your diet. She recommends, eating a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts and guarantees that you will never suffer from a nutrient deficiency. Remember that taking supplements cannot replace your meal.
Side effects of taking supplements You have to be extra careful if you take supplements. Many vitamins and herbs can interfere with your medications and cause potentially dangerous side effects or even render the drug ineffective. For example, vitamin K can lower the effectiveness of blood thinners. Excess intake of vitamin A can contribute to reduced bone-mineral density, damage the liver and even lead to congenital disabilities. Too much iron can cause nausea, dehydration, dizziness, headache and flushing. Overdoing on vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia or too much calcium in the blood. Research has examined that
excess use of vitamins and dietary supplements can increase the risk of cancer. The study conducted by the University of Colorado Denver suggested that over-the-counter supplements may increase cancer risk if taken more than the recommended daily amount. Video & image source: TheHealthSite/Youtube
