Those with certain medical conditions. People with certain medical conditions — such as celiac disease, cancer, Crohn's disease, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, and anorexia — are more likely to develop nutrient deficiencies, including B vitamins ( 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ).
Below are some of the many benefits of taking vitamins:Promotes Healthy Aging. ... Reduces Anxiety and Stress. ... Boosts Your Cardiovascular Health. ... Covers Your Nutritional Bases. ... Supports Your Immune System. ... Keeps Body in Good Working Order. ... Improves Your Eyesight. ... Keeps Your Bones Strong.More items...
The Benefits of Individual Vitamin Supplements Vitamins and minerals support your body in a wide variety of ways, many of them working together. For example, vitamin E helps repair DNA while vitamin B12 helps build it. Vitamin A supports bone health, as do calcium and vitamin D.
Taking supplements is common among U.S. adults, and the most oft-cited reasons people give for taking them are wanting to feel better, improving energy levels and boosting the immune system, a new survey finds.
WHO TAKES WHAT? 77% of U.S. adult women and 65% of U.S. adult men take dietary supplements. Certain supplements skew more toward women's use or men's use, and some skew older, some younger, as shown here from data on select supplements.
Who Needs Food Supplements?Those who live a hectic lifestyle. The most important thing one must understand is that supplements are not a substitute for a balanced healthy diet. ... Lose Weight Diet. ... Eating Disorders. ... Vegetarian or Vegan Diets. ... Allergy Diets. ... Chronic Medications. ... Impaired Digestions. ... Special Groups.
Vitamin E supplements may prevent coronary heart disease, support immune function, prevent inflammation, promote eye health, and lower the risk of cancer. However, the research on these benefits is varied, and vitamin E supplementation is not right for everyone.
Why do Athletes Use Dietary Supplements? To gain a competitive edge: Athletes may take a supplement to improve their performance (endurance, focus, speed, strength) or change the way they look (desire to lose/gain weight, improve muscle tone, decrease body fat).
7 Impressive Ways Vitamin C Benefits Your BodyMay reduce your risk of chronic disease. ... May help manage high blood pressure. ... May lower your risk of heart disease. ... May reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks. ... Helps prevent iron deficiency. ... Boosts immunity. ... Protects your memory and thinking as you age.
Because it mainly shows up in animal products like meat, milk, and other dairy foods, vegans are at risk of being deficient.
The bulk of this vitamin is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight . “A lot of people are low in vitamin D in America,” says Berberian, “because not a lot of people get enough sun exposure—they’re working in an office setting all day long and hardly get enough sun.”.
3 Groups Who Really Can Benefit from Vitamin Supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplements do not prevent death or chronic diseases, according to a new scientific article, but some groups can still benefit. Multivitamin and mineral supplements are virtually universal in America.
People who think they are deficient in vitamin D should check with their doctor. A simple blood test can show whether you are lacking, and your doctor can recommend a supplement, if needed. Discover the Benefits of Vitamin D ».
Likewise, elderly people sometimes have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food, which can also lead to a deficiency. If you are concerned about your vitamin B12 intake—or often feel tired—check with your doctor, who can test your blood and recommend a supplement. Learn More: Vitamin B12 Testing ».
Vitamin D is a vital nutrient to keep your bones and mental health strong, but it isn’t found in most of the food you eat. Instead, your skin produces vitamin D when it’s exposed to sunshine. Unfortunately, when you live above 37 degrees north or below 37 degrees south of the equator, during the winter months the UVB rays aren’t strong enough to reach our skin. Especially if you spend a lot of time indoors, don’t eat a lot of fatty fish and/or have a darker skin tone, you could be at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
3. Vegans and vegetarians: Vitamin B12 and/or iron. It’s perfectly possible to obtain all the vitamins you need on a vegetarian diet. However, you should be mindful of your iron intake. There are two forms of dietary iron: heme iron from animal products and non-heme iron found in legumes, grains, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in the formation of red blood cells and the functioning of your nerve cells. Unfortunately, vitamin B12 is only found in significant amounts in animal products, so it’s wise to look into high-quality supplements. 4. People in the Northern hemisphere: Vitamin D.
Some nutrients enhance each other’s absorption or produce stronger effects when taken together. For example, vitamin C helps to absorb iron, while you need the right balance of calcium, potassium and magnesium for a healthy blood pressure. Check for additional herbal extracts.
To maintain healthy blood levels of vitamin D all year round, experts suggest you should get 800 to 1,000 IU per day. 5. Malnutrition due to chronic illness: Specific supplements.
Deficiencies in iron, iodine and vitamin A affect more than two billion people worldwide, and not just in developing countries.
When you’re chronically ill and have trouble eating adequate amounts from all food groups, your diet might be lacking in vital vitamins and minerals. You may also have problems absorbing enough nutrients when you suffer from Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.