Most people strive to live a healthy lifestyle, whether that’s through their diet or exercise. Combining both makes it easier to maintain a good weight and aids your mental well-being. Sometimes, you hit a rough patch and can’t help your body meet specific nutritional requirements.
People often turn to vitamins to fill in those gaps when that happens. Supplements are great because they can help your body. But are you using them correctly? We’ll outline a few myths about vitamins that you need to know.
1. You Don’t Need Vitamins When You Eat Healthily
Eating a balanced diet does wonders for your body; you get the required nutrients that help support each of your body’s processes. If this is your norm, you might believe you don’t need supplements since you’re hitting all your nutritional requirements. Unfortunately, that’s not true at all.
Taking supplements is still in your best interest, even if you eat healthily. That’s because the fruits and vegetables you eat are only as healthy as the soil they’re grown in. And since the ground used to be richer than it was, these items may be of lower quality. Furthermore, everyone isn’t eating three meals daily because they may need more time.
So when planning your day, the best time to take vitamins is in the morning with a meal. It makes it easier for the supplement to get absorbed into your body and help with processes. You can also take them in the afternoon or evening; whatever you decide, making them part of your daily routine is essential.
2. Multivitamins Make Up for Poor Eating Habits
Bad eating days happen, and that’s okay. What’s not okay is developing poor habits and then relying on vitamins to help make up the difference. You can’t treat vitamins like an insurance policy; they should be taken with a good diet.
Another issue with using vitamins to make up for poor eating habits is figuring out which to take. There are thousands of supplements out there, each with different formulas. So you’ll need to determine which is best for your body and nutritional needs. Will you take individual vitamins or a multivitamin, depending on your eating? Rather than guessing, get tested by your healthcare provider to see where you’re lacking.
3. Larger Doses are Better
Whenever you take a small dose of something healthy, you always have a quick thought “If a small amount makes me feel like this, a larger amount might make me feel even better.” You should follow this rule only for some things in life; the same could be said when taking supplements.
Although some vitamins can be taken in high doses and are relatively safe, others may cause discomfort. For example, taking too much of a fat-soluble vitamin might become toxic to your body. On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins don’t accumulate in your body but, when taken excessively, may cause specific side effects. So it’s essential to follow the dosage requirements outlined by the product.
4. Natural Supplements Don’t Affect Medications
As you read the label on your vitamin, you may come across the word “natural,” meaning the supplement has no artificial substances. While that’s good, you still need to get in the clear. As mentioned above, too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
Another thing you must consider when taking natural vitamins is another medication. You shouldn’t take certain medicines and supplements simultaneously because you could experience discomfort. So before taking anything, please list what you take daily and bring it to your doctor. A quick conversation can save you from future issues.
The Myths About Vitamins Aren’t True
Taking vitamins is a great way to take charge of your health. But there are also some myths about vitamins that can cause problems if you aren’t too cautious. Even if you’re eating healthily, you must take vitamins to fill nutritional gaps. They can help your well-being and keep your body operating in top condition. Just be sure you aren’t relying on them to make up for deficiencies due to poor eating habits.
It’s also essential to follow the dosage guidelines when taking vitamins. Taking too much can harm your body. Lastly, talk to your doctor about any supplements you might be taking. They can impact your medication and cause discomfort, which you want to avoid. Now that the myths have been debunked for you take your time choosing a supplement to ensure you remain healthy.