do you need supplements?

when you should start eating supplements

aicha hs
2 min readMar 19, 2024
Photo by Leohoho on Unsplash

we often see social media platform advertisements for different kinds of supplements, zinc, magnesium, melatonin, tryptophan, multivitamins, etc…

Should you take them? Are they useful?

First of all, supplements are products containing dietary ingredients. There can be amino acids, herbs, vitamins, minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron ), enzymes, or probiotics.

Supplements aren’t necessary with a balanced diet, as they already contain enough nutrients your body will need.

Supplements will likely be needed when you have an eating disorder, nutrient deficiency (diagnosed by a healthcare provider ), or absorption issues.

We see an increase in vitamin D deficiency due to many factors, including lack of sun exposure and heavy metals.

To avoid developing a vitamin D deficiency, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that breastfed and partially breastfed infants be supplemented with 400 IU per day of vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life.

It’s recommended to take acid folic daily during pregnancy( always check with your healthcare provider before any usage).

Food allergies or intolerances are most likely to cause certain vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

It would be best if you were always careful when buying supplements. Make sure they are high-quality supplements and ask your healthcare provider before taking any.

We will talk in the upcoming articles about how to choose high-quality supplements.

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aicha hs

Join me, your PharmD, as I unravel the mysteries of supplementation and gut health. Stay tuned for expert tips on finding the ideal vitamin just for you!