How to Take Vitamin Supplements the Right Way

TEHNOLOGI69  - Apart from nutritious food and drinks, vitamin supplements are generally consumed to supplement the nutrients the body needs. However, if it is necessary, make sure you know how to take the correct supplements so that they do not cause side effects to health.

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients. This means that the body cannot produce these two nutrients naturally, so it needs to be obtained from food or supplements so that the body's health is maintained.

Additional vitamin supplements may no longer be needed if you have been eating a variety of healthy foods regularly. This type of healthy food can be in the form of various fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, milk, nuts, and seeds.

However, vitamin supplements can be taken when the need for these nutrients increases or when the body lacks intake, for example, when sick, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, entering old age, or recovering from illness.

Some Things to Look For Before Taking Vitamins

Before buying and taking vitamins, it is better if you know the benefits and risks of consuming these vitamins. If you really need or decide to take vitamin supplements, pay attention to the following:

1. Consult a doctor

Before taking supplements, you should consult your doctor first to determine the proper dosage for vitamin supplements.

The dose of the right vitamin supplement consumption can also be different in certain groups, for example, children, pregnant or lactating women, and people with a disease.

2. Read the product packaging label

Vitamin supplement products will generally list the recommended dosage for supplement use on the packaging label.

Also, the label lists the ingredients in a vitamin supplement, a single dose, benefits, side effects, and expiration date. This information is important for you to pay attention to so that vitamins can be consumed properly and safely.

3. Be aware of the effects of drug interactions

When taking a vitamin supplement, you need to determine whether the supplement will cause interactions with certain drugs, other supplements, foods, or herbal products.

You can also record all supplements and medicines that have been or are being taken to ask the doctor.

On the other hand, some vitamin supplements need to be mixed into drinks or food. However, make sure you are not over-nourished and are not at risk of certain side effects.

4. Ensure the product sell permit

Before taking certain supplements, you can check whether the supplement product has been registered with the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM).

Medicines, vitamin supplements, or products that are not registered with the BPOM are drugs that do not have a license to sell or consume, so they are not necessarily safe for consumption.

Beware of supplements that over-promote or use overly catchy terms like “money-back guarantee” or “100% natural”.

Do not also be easily tempted by supplement products that claim to cure various diseases or slimming down quickly.

A good vitamin supplement should be aimed at dealing with specific problems and not over-promise results.

Supplements come in a variety of tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid forms. This difference in form determines how much vitamin the body can absorb and how quickly the effect of the vitamin supplement. Usually, supplements in liquid form will be absorbed more quickly than in pill form.

Also, different forms of supplements depend on the type of vitamin. Some vitamin supplements are only available in pill form, otherwise, they can harm and affect stomach acid.

Therefore, ask your doctor about which type of supplement is right for you.

Guide to Eating Vitamins

The following table can serve as a guide for you in taking vitamin supplements. However, note that children, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and the elderly may have different vitamin requirements than the usual adult dosage.

The human body does need vitamin intake, but if it is excessive it can interfere with the body's metabolism as a whole. Therefore, avoid taking vitamin supplements, especially vitamins A, D, E, and K, in high doses.

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins that, if consumed in excess, will accumulate in the body's tissues and become toxic. This condition can lead to a health problem called hypervitaminosis.

Each person's vitamin needs and nutritional intake may vary, depending on age, sex, pregnancy, and illness or treatment that is being carried out.

Therefore, before you take any vitamin supplements, consult your doctor first so that your doctor can determine the type and dose of supplements that suit your needs.