Introduction
Welcome to my blog post on vitamins and nutrition! As a doctor, I want to make sure you are informed about the potential risks and benefits of taking vitamins. Vitamins are essential for our health, but it is important to know what to eat and what not to eat when taking them. In this post, I will provide you with some tips on what to eat and what not to eat when taking vitamins. I will also discuss the potential risks and benefits of taking vitamins, so you can make an informed decision about your health. Thanks for reading and I hope you find this information helpful!
I’m a Doctor and Warn You Know This Before Taking Vitamins — Eat This Not That
Vitamins are essential for our health and wellbeing, but it’s important to know what to eat and what not to eat when taking them. As a doctor, I’m here to warn you about the potential risks of taking vitamins without proper guidance.
First, it’s important to understand that vitamins are not a substitute for a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Taking vitamins can help supplement your diet, but it’s not a replacement for healthy eating.
Second, it’s important to know which vitamins are best for you. Different vitamins have different benefits, so it’s important to talk to your doctor or nutritionist to determine which vitamins are best for you. Some vitamins, such as Vitamin A, can be toxic in large doses, so it’s important to take the right amount.
Third, it’s important to know which foods are rich in vitamins. Eating a variety of foods is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are all great sources of vitamins. Eating a variety of foods will ensure that you get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Finally, it’s important to know which foods to avoid when taking vitamins. Some foods, such as processed foods, can interfere with the absorption of vitamins. It’s also important to avoid taking too many vitamins, as this can lead to an overdose. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist to determine which foods to avoid when taking vitamins.
Taking vitamins can be beneficial for your health, but it’s important to know what to eat and what not to eat when taking them. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist to determine which vitamins are best for you and which foods to avoid when taking them.
Millions of people take vitamins on a regular basis to stay healthy, but they may not provide the benefits you think, according to some doctors. Experts warn it’s important to thoroughly research each brand, understand the potential risks and consult your physician first. Eat This, Not That! Health talked to several doctors and medical experts who explained what to know before taking vitamins. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
We can get a lot of our vitamins from having a healthy diet. Dr. Jacob Hascalovici says, “It’s true that aging can make it a bit more difficult to get all the nutrients women’s bodies need to stay strong and healthy, but that doesn’t mean that women always need to turn to supplements for their vitamins and nutrients. If you have concerns, you may want to evaluate your overall eating habits first — you may already be getting enough nutrients if you’re eating a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, nuts, beans, low-fat dairy and lean proteins. It may also be a good idea to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before adding in a supplement, as people’s specific nutritional needs can vary. It is possible to ingest certain vitamins and supplements in higher than ideal levels, which can have negative impacts over time, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to nutritional supplements.”
“The purity of supplements depends largely on the manufacturer, and it is sometimes hard to say which are good or bad,” Dr. Jae Pak, M.D., of Jae Pak Medical explains. “That said, my advice is to fully vet the supplier where you are purchasing supplements, and always speak to your doctor before adding any vitamin into your routine. [Vitamins] are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which means even the most expensive vitamins may not be as pure as you think they are. Some products contain more fillers than actual helpful ingredients, so it is important to know and trust the manufacturer you’re sourcing them from.”
Dr. Pak warns, “Another thing many don’t consider when taking vitamins and supplements is that they could interact with other medications and supplements you’re taking. They may also have harmful side effects in addition to any perceived benefits. For these reasons, it is important to consult with a trusted health care provider before beginning any vitamin or supplement regimen.”
Dr. Ani Rostomyan is a Doctor of Pharmacy, Holistic Pharmacist and Functional Medicine Practitioner who specializes in Pharmacogenomics and Nutrigenomic consulting says, “From a Pharmacist standpoint, always inform us about vitamins and herbal supplements you take, since some may interact with medications, like St. John’s Wort may interact with some medications due to impaired metabolic pathways of certain medications, through induction of cytochrome P (CYP) 1A2, 2C19, 2C9, and 3A4, as well as intestinal P-glycoprotein/multidrug efflux pump (MDR)-1 drug transporters.”
Rachel Fine, a Registered Dietitian and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition says, “In general multivitamins are not technically needed if one is eating a diet abundant in a variety of plant based foods. However, given our busy schedules and reliance on convenient options it may be beneficial for women to consider multivitamins as a means of filling in the gaps.”
Dr. Pak adds, “A well-balanced, colorful diet is the best way to fill nutritional gaps. I recommend exploring professional nutrition counseling before heading down the slippery supplements slope.”
Fine explains, “The most common deficiencies in women are calcium, vitamin D and iron. Since there’s no standard formula for multis composition, it can vary greatly. It’s important to make sure your tablet is not overdoing it with some nutrients. For example I suggest choosing a tablet with no more than 1000 IU of vitamin D and no more than 500 mg calcium. If you’re getting in 2-3 servings of calcium-containing foods (like dairy) in your diet then you may choose a tablet with a more modest amount of calcium (100-400mg).”
“One advantage of taking a vitamin with a lower amount of calcium (such as 200mg) is that there is less of a chance of the calcium interfering with iron absorption,” Fine states. “If you tend to be deficient in iron (which is quite common for menstruation women) it’s best to take your multi separate (at least 2 hours) from your iron supplement.”
Dr. Rostomyan says, “Everyone’s needs are unique and can’t be standardized to one size fits all, health care providers will be able to decide and recommend your own nutritional needs based on your health needs, status and preferences. For example, living in certain geographical areas, like northern countries, may put you at a greater risk for Vitamin D deficiency, or if you are abiding certain vegan diets, you may be more prone to iron or vitamin B group deficiencies.”
It’s always important to take care of your health, but especially during pregnancy. Dr. Hascalovici explains, “Women sometimes can benefit from specific nutritional support, however, including from supplement powders, particularly if they are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, are trying to increase muscle mass, are vegetarian or vegan, or are over 50. Calcium, vitamin D and the B vitamins might be worth looking into if you fit one of these categories. You’ll likely want to choose powders from natural instead of synthetic sources, and you may benefit from whey or soy protein powders, too.”
Dr. Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, also recommends vitamin D.
“It’s beneficial for a multitude of bodily functions. Aids with bone development for both mother and fetus. It also boosts immunity- pregnancy has a physiologic immune suppression on the body such that the fetus can thrive. Vitamin D has been shown to aid in diminishing symptoms of depression, is good for cardiovascular health and decreases the incidence of preterm labor. For melanated individuals, it’s important to know that Vitamin D is made in the skin in conjunction with sunlight– this process is inhibited by melanin– it’s important to get your levels checked.
Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of the Candida Diet explains, “When it comes to taking an iron supplement, or a multivitamin which contains iron, it is important to avoid taking calcium or consuming calcium around the same time. The term elemental iron refers to the amount of iron that is absorbed from each capsule. There are two forms of iron; heme (from animal sources) and non-heme (from plant-sources). Heme iron is absorbed at approximately 25% while non-heme is absorbed at around 17%. Most iron supplements on the market are made from non-heme sources, which is great for vegan dieters, but should be paired with a vitamin C source for better absorption. All iron supplements should be taken at least 2 hours pre or post-meal to prevent the mineral from having to compete with other minerals for absorption, specifically calcium.”
Dr. Rostomyan reveals, “Due to advances in science in genomic and precision medicine and nutrition, Nutrigenomic testing has become also used to determine unique personalized nutritional needs of a person, based on Nutrigenomics testing. As a Pharmacogenomics and Nutrigenomics Pharmacist, I find it very helpful to run the Nutrigenomic testing and take the guesswork out of the way, helping patients to incorporate personalized nutrition and vitamin supplementation.” And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.