How Do You Know If You Need A Vitamin Supplement?

Billions of dollars are spent every year by millions of people
around the world on vitamin supplements. In 2004 alone, it is
estimated, nearly $20B dollars went to supplements. A lot of
the people spending their hard-earned money on vitamin
supplements believe they are warding off cancer, heart disease,
or other conditions just by taking vitamins. Most people don't
know, however, that it is not possible to stock up the
nutritional value of many vitamins. Water soluble vitamins and
minerals like vitamins B and C are actually eliminated each day
(don't ask me to go into details about how that happens!).

Other vitamins are "fat-soluble" meaning they dissolve in fat.
Those include vitamins A, K, D, and E. The fat-soluble vitamins
can be more dangerous than water-soluble. What is not used by
the body actually ends up in the liver, where it can build up
and could potentially be toxic.

You should check with your doctor or healthcare practitioner
about whether or not you can absorb the vitamins you want to be
taking. That's the first place to look when deciding what
supplement may be right for you. If you are not absorbing a
vitamin or mineral as it naturally occurs, you will want to
supplement it. Don't supplement vitamins you are already
supplying your body in adequate quantities.

The next thing to consider is if your nutritional needs have
changed due to medical conditions like pregnancy or more time
spent bodybuilding. These and other conditions have special
requirements and you may not be naturally getting enough of
certain vitamins and minerals.

Check with your doctor on potential interactions between your
supplement, and any medication you are on. It is also prudent
to talk to him about whether or not you even need a particular
supplement vitamin.

Doctors can find out a lot about your nutritional needs by
taking a simple blood sample. She can then see what you may be
deficient in, and need to supplement. You don't want to be
taking something you don't need.

Perhaps moreso in the vitamin supplement world than in other
areas of your life, "buyer beware" is an important thing to
remember. Vitamin supplements are largely unregulated by the
government (in the USA, and even less elsewhere). You will be
bombarded with messages about how this or that supplement will
keep you safe from cancer or other diseases, with little
research to back up such claims.

Be careful, and don't rely on the supplement manufacturer's
claims alone. The internet is a great place to research
different supplement companies and supplements, and of course
your doctor is a trained professional. The US Government (FDA)
and other agencies also provide free information on supplements
they have tested.

About The Author: Learn about vitamin supplements and which you
should take... if any! Many vitamin supplements are
unnecessary. Look before you leap. Visit
http://www.vitaminsupplementvitamin.com today.