Every year people in the UK spend millions
and millions of pounds on vitamin tablets and supplements according to the Food
Standards Agency (FSA). The most popular supplements are cod liver oil and
multivitamins but products like mega-dose vitamins and minerals are increasing
in popularity and some manufacturers have reported a 20% increase in sales over
the last three years. Even though there
are health warnings attached to some of these supplements it would seem that
people are more interested in seeking the elixir of life which can often cost
them up to £30 a time.
Vitamins are a small group of substances that
are essential for our body’s growth and development. There is no disputing the
fact that we need vitamins in our diet and because most vitamins cannot be
manufactured by the body they must come from our diet. Unfortunately some
people think that taking vitamin tablets by the handful means that they do not
need to watch what they eat and anyone can see the attraction of this approach
– eat junk food and still be healthy even though it is completely incorrect.
If you speak to dieticians and nutritionists
and other experts they will all tell you the same thing, most of us do not need
to take vitamin tablets or food supplements as we can get all we need from a
balanced diet. Although a small group of the population my require vitamins and
supplements, the rest of us really just need a healthy diet. The best thing you
can do is increase your intake of fruit and vegetables as these are the foods
that are rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals. It is recommended that
people try to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg every day but the reality is that
most people do not have even half the recommended amount.
As I mentioned previously, there are groups
of people that will need to take vitamin tablets and
these people are likely to be pregnant or planning on to get pregnant, people
who have limited exposure to sunlight,
vegans who do not eat meat or dairy products, malnourished people and people
who are involved in intense training for sport.
For those who are taking them for nutritional
and sporting purposes you only need to take the most basic, inexpensive
multivitamin. Overdosing on vitamins can have a toxic effect on your body and
more is definitely not better when it comes to supplements.
Taking vitamin tablets and food supplements
is not really good or bad, but more unnecessary for the majority of us. Your
money could be better spent eating a well balanced and healthy meal at a nice
restaurant rather than spending it on expensive and unnecessary vitamins and
supplements.
