FAQs

What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are natural substances found in living things such as plants. Vitamins must be obtained by the body from foods or supplements as they cannot usually be produced by the body.

Do I really need to take a vitamin supplement?

It depends on the diet you consume. Most people in the western culture get plenty of the nutrients they need from their food. The exceptions may be calcium, iron, and in rare cases vitamin C. If a person is lactose intolerant it is probably wise to take a calcium supplement to ensure they get the recommended amounts. Vegetarians are at risk of being deficient in iron and Vitamin B12 which can result in anaemia so supplements are a good idea for them as well. For the fickle eater who dislikes fruits and veggies then Vitamin C and folate may be lacking in their diet.

When should I take my vitamins?

Vitamins should be taken with food, as they can cause stomach discomfort if taken on an empty stomach.

How many vitamins should I take?

The answer to this question varies from person to person, so you should consult your physician to find out what your ideal dosage is.

Can you overdose on vitamins?

It’s very hard to overdose on water soluble vitamins. You can't overdose in the same way that you can overdose on medicine, but that doesn’t mean that more is always better when it comes to vitamins. Usually, if you take more vitamins than your body needs, the excess vitamins are excreted except for fat soluble vitamins i.e. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K. Certain vitamins, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Niacin and Iron can damage the body if the dosage is too high.

Are vitamins ever dangerous?

Generally, over-the-counter vitamins (particularly multivitamins) have a better safety profile, but there are some people who may react negatively to certain vitamins. Consult your doctor immediately if you show any signs of a negative reaction to a vitamin or supplement.

Can you really get Vitamin D from the sun?

Yes, the body can absorb Vitamin D from the sun. However, since many of us spend most of our days indoors and away from the sun, it’s a good idea to take a Vitamin D supplement in moderation. Vitamin D can also be obtained from foods like milk and fish.

Why do vitamins make my urine yellow?

When you take vitamins, the body doesn’t absorb everything. It flushes out the excess vitamins in your urine. The dark yellow colour is usually the result of excess Vitamin B2 (riboflavin).

What are Nutrients?

Nutrients are substances present in food and used by the body to promote normal growth, maintenance, and repair. Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities are called macronutrients and those needed in relatively small quantities are called micronutrients.

What are Essential Nutrients?

They are nutrients required for normal body functioning that either cannot be synthesized by the body at all, or cannot be synthesized in amounts adequate for good health (e.g. niacin, choline), and thus must be obtained from a dietary source. Some categories of essential nutrients include vitamins, dietary minerals, essential fatty acids and essential amino acids.

What does RDA mean?

RDA stands for “Recommended Daily Allowance” and represents the establishment of a nutritional norm for planning and assessing dietary intake, and are the levels of intake, of essential nutrients considered to be adequate to meet the known needs of practically all healthy people.

Does everybody get enough nutrients from their diet?

Most people do get enough nutrients from their diet - as defined by the Recommended Daily Allowance [RDA] - but there will always be some people who are either deficient in one or more nutrients or who have special nutritional or medical needs for particular nutrients at certain times in their lives. Such people include young children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, immobile elderly people, vegans and some vegetarians, smokers, heavy drinkers, people who are chronically ill, including those with immune deficiency disorders, and anybody on a restrictive diet, including long term dieters.

If I take supplements, do I really need to bother about what I eat?

Everyone should aim to eat as varied and balanced a diet as possible to provide their nutritional needs, avoiding too many processed, fatty and sugary foods. Supplements should only be used to ‘fill the gaps’ where regular consumption of a balanced diet is not possible or is not achieved because of lack of accessibility of the right kinds of foods. In this context it is worth noting that many people fail to meet the Department of Health recommendations of at least five portions of vegetables and fruit per day and at least two portions of fish, including one of oily fish, per week.

How long do you need to take supplements for? Are they a quick fix?

Unlike some medicines, dietary/health supplements are not an instant fix. Generally the body requires a steady, regular supply of nutrients from the diet and/or supplements for metabolism and growth and repair of body tissues, as not all nutrients are stored in the body. If you are someone who is unable to regularly eat a varied diet, then dietary supplement could be part of a regular and long term routine. However, it is important to be aware that although supplements may help protect against some illnesses and aid recovery, they cannot cure diseases.

Can some supplements stop medicines from working?

Supplements will not stop medicines from working. However, there are interactions between nutritional status and the action of some medicines. Certain nutrients influence the absorption or metabolism of some medicines.

What are Minerals?

They are found in plants. Plants get their minerals from the soil, and the soil gets minerals from water washing over rocks. For vitamins to do their job, they require minerals. Minerals must also be obtained from food and supplements.

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are specific vitamins or minerals that act as free radical scavengers. Most antioxidants are electron donors and react with the free radicals to form innocuous end products such as water. These antioxidants bind and inactivate the free radicals. Thus, antioxidants protect against oxidative stress and prevent damage to cells.

The Daily U-News

February

Thursday

Did you know? While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, drinking more than that can cause health problems such as liver and kidney disease and even cancer.

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