When I mention the word “vitamins”, what comes to your mind? Is it overwhelming? If you take one do you feel that it is enough or too much? Or how do you know which vitamin to take?
You might see in the news or on the radio that you should be taking a vitamin supplement of vitamin D, or you should take a daily vitamin to keep yourself healthy, or even that you should take Vitamin C if you are getting sick. Should you?
Vitamin D is an important vitamin for bone growth and to help our bodies absorb nutrients. We usually get a natural source of the vitamin from direct sunlight and from sources like yogurt and cheese and fish. The problem is that many of us are used to lathering up with sunscreen and this coats our skin with a barrier from the sun to get in. The only way to officially know if you have a vitamin D deficiency is to have a blood test done but in the meantime, if you tend to stay indoors a lot it might not be a bad idea to take a vitamin D supplement.
Vitamin C is found in fresh citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. It helps your bone and tissue grow and is said to have other properties like helping boost your immune system and helping combat effects on hypertension, although research is still being conducted about the full extent of its benefits. Most multi-vitamins include a sufficient amount of vitamin c and if you also try to each fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, berries and the like you will get a good amount of the vitamin!
Vitamin supplements like D and C are great to provide extra support but do try to get these vitamins from their natural sources such as vitamin D (egg yolks, cheese, tuna canned in water, milk or yogurt ) and vitamin C (bell peppers, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papayas).
Now let’s talk about a multivitamin. There are a lot to choose from on the market that claim to be for women, men, children, those with certain vitamin deficiencies (like D or C), those for active individuals, etc. How do you select the best one?
- Talk with the pharmacist at the store where you are purchasing the vitamin as a first step. They are a wealth of knowledge.
- You can also look at the ingredient list and the “percent daily value” to make sure you would be getting an adequate fill for your need.
Lastly, we welcome you to make an appointment and to come in and talk with us. Depending on your age, your health status and your other medications or herbal supplements, we would be happy to talk with you about the best type of vitamin or supplement. If you have any other questions, please feel free to call us!
At Carlos and Parnell, M.D., P.A. our professional and caring staff makes the difference with patient care. – See more at: http://www.dev.carlosparnellmd.com/
