Who Needs Dietary Supplements?

Hello, 

Most of us have heard about dietary supplements quite often. 

It is a huge business with global revenue with over 40 Billion US dollars.

One such dietary supplement is multi-vitamins and there are many questions that revolve around this concept. 

What benefits can i actually expect from them? 

Do i really need supplements? 

What are the manjor potential risks? 

Not everyone requires multi-vitamins and other dietary supplements on a daily basis.

Certain groups of individuals are advised by the health authorities to take mineral and vitamin supplements. Let's talk about each one of them quickly.

1. Newborns

Very short duration after birth, Newborns should be given vitamin K shots or an oral dose to prevent bleeding. 

Until they reach 3 months of age, Babies that breastfeed must be given vitamin K supplements. 

Babies must also be given vitamin D supplements. 

2. Elderly people

Males older than 70 and females above 50 should take vitamin-B12, vitamin-D or maybe calcium.    

3. Vegans or vegetarians

Vegetarians are strictly advised to take vitamin- B12 supplementations because vitamin-B12 is only present in foods of animal origin. 

Vegans and vegetarians are also run a relatively large risk of being deficient in iron. It is prescribed to take iron tablets. 

4. Pregnant Women

Pregnant women have a high risk of increased iron deficiency specially for vegan or vegetarian women. They are highly reccomended to take on iron supplements. 

Pregnant women are also advised to take supplemental folate during the period covering 4 weeks prior to conception to eight weeks after conception. 

Calcium supplementation is also necessary to prevent pre-eclampsia which is the condition of protein in blood and increased blood pressure in the newborn. 

Remain groups of people do not need dietary supplements in normal condition unless have certain medical condition. If they feel any sort of deficiency then they must improve their diet. 

Note- Dietary supplements are not the compensation of healthy diet. Moreover, the basis of healthy body is food, not supplements. 

I know there is COVID-19 situation going on worldwide and we need to improve our immunity. The best and most effective way is to eat right and eat clean. Lifestyle is itself a medicine if we focus there. 

I hope you liked and it has helped people in need. 

Thank you 

Vaibhav Alok