How to Secure Multi Vitamin Consumption

Health & Insurance----Two research results were announced last few days is causing concern about the safety of consumption of vitamin supplements. Should we consume? Vitamins and minerals which are most at risk? How to choose the safest?


Most people consider a good multivitamin supplement for the body. The industry even refer to it as "insurance" for those who have a less healthy diet.


Many people do not realize that the food we eat is already available sufficient vitamins and minerals. Even food and beverages in containers, including those classified as junk food is often enriched with nutrients as well as value added. Because of that risk to suffer from excess vitamin becomes very large if we supplement it with a variety of vitamin supplements.


"The study results prove the supplement were not as safe as claimed by the industry," said David Schardt, a nutritionist from the Center for Science in the Public Interest.


Earlier this week a study involving more than 40,000 older women find an increased risk of death in those who took daily supplements, including multivitamins, folic acid, iron, and copper.


Another study found that men who consumed high doses of vitamin E, about 400 units a day, for five years at higher risk for prostate cancer.


Basically there is no strong scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of multivitamins in reducing risk of cancer, heart disease, or other chronic diseases.


Besides studies showing health risks in people who lack certain vitamins by the experts considered wrong. Meet the deficiency of vitamins or minerals to meet daily needs is different from adding more than the recommended levels.


The best way to meet the body's need for vitamins is to eat foods that naturally contain vitamin. "Foodstuffs contain not only vitamins and minerals, but also contain fiber and other healthful," said Jody Engel, nutritionist.


If we get vitamins from natural food ingredients, it is impossible to happen excess vitamins or minerals.


Who needs this?


Schardt explains, there are some people who require supplementation, namely:


1. Post-menopausal women who require vitamin D and calcium to protect bones.
2. Women who are planning pregnancy need folate to prevent birth defects.
3. People aged over 50 years and adopt a vegetarian requires vitamin B12.
4. Pregnant women need extra iron.
5. Mothers who are breastfeeding may need calcium and vitamin D.


If you do need a supplement, be careful on quality.


Consumerlab.com, which examined the supplement company recently published the results of his findings that mentions one of four supplements do not contain substances listed in the packaging.


They also assert that the high price is not a guarantee of good quality supplement. Note also the presence or absence of security certification of authorized institutions, for example BPOM.


Here are tips on safely taking supplements:


- Make it simple. More and more content contained in the supplement combo, the more likely number is not correct.


- According to experts from The Office of Dietary Supplements, if possible select a specific supplement combo with age and gender. Multivitamins typically contain little iron and vitamins for the elderly usually contain more calcium and vitamin D.


- Consumption of vitamin D at dinner. Studies show the absorption of nutrients is much better when consumed with large dining and more fat.


- Beware of vitamin K supplement because it can speed up the blockage of blood vessels and can interfere with heart medications and blood thinners.


- Smokers and former smokers are advised to avoid multivitamins that contain beta-carotene or vitamin A. Two scientific studies show this vitamin increases the risk of lung cancer.


- For cancer patients, vitamin C and E would reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy.


- The person who will perform surgery should inform their doctors if taking vitamin supplements as some kind of vitamins can cause bleeding and interfere with anesthesia.