So, how do they do it? Those healthy, happy people you see at the gym or frolicking on the beach. What is the secret they know that you don’t? The fact is that they’re using vitamins and supplements to boost their mood, energy and health. To learn more, keep reading.
Since vitamins must be processed and absorbed by the body, you should always be aware of how vitamins and supplements will react with each other. Calcium will stop the absorption of iron, for example. Additionally, you should not wash down your iron pill with a glass of milk or take an antacid medication within half an hour of taking iron.
Supplements that contain fat should be taken with food, so schedule those doses around mealtime. For example, vitamins E, A and K all apply. They work best if the food you are eating them with contains fat.
Do not use tea or coffee to wash down your vitamins and minerals. These beverages may inhibit the absorption of certain minerals. Tea has been proven to decrease the amount of iron the body absorbs. While coffee has not been shown to have the same effects, it would be best not to take any chances.
If you’re postmenopausal, don’t consume prenatal vitamins. Sometimes, women will take these vitamins to help make their nails and hair grow longer. This is generally a good idea, but often means too much iron for women that have already reached menopause.
Folic acid prevents birth defects, certain cancers, stroke and heart disease. This B vitamin is added to flour, cold cereal and pasta. Additionally, many leafy vegetables, melons, beans and meats contain folic acid. Folic acid is used to treat Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, RLS, neuropathy, osteoporosis and other signs of aging.
When buying vitamins, always check the expiration date on the package before you buy them. Vitamins have a shelf life and do not last forever. Storage time, exposure to light and temperature can all effect the quality of vitamins and further reduce the expiration date. So make sure that you are buying quality vitamins that have not expired.
Do not take vitamins because someone you know is pressuring you to do so. Everyone is not the same, which means that what works for one person may have an entirely different effect on another. If you are concerned about your body lacking vitamins, you should consult your doctor to see what he would suggest.
Do not be swayed by all of the hype that surrounds new “miracle” vitamins. While they may have some positive effects for some people, most can go their whole lives without taking any of these things. It is always best to consult a doctor or dietician before taking anything new.
Now that you know so much about vitamins and minerals, people are going to start wondering what secret you know that they don’t! That is, only if you start using these tips in your own life, of course. Create a supplement regimen and stick to it and you’ll be beaming with great health soon!
