Some Michigans have turned to supplements to boost their body’s defenses this cold and flu season.
Vitamins help strengthen the immune system, but too much of the good stuff can have negative effects, explained Sarah Hutchinson, a registered dietitian at Henry Ford Health.
“Supplement addiction is the overdose of vitamins and minerals, usually from supplements or artificial sources.
It is very rare for an individual to obtain a particular vitamin or mineral from dietary sources alone. However, adding one or more supplements can lead to intakes of hundreds or thousands of percent above the daily recommended amounts. There is a possibility.
As an example, Hutchinson described a situation in which a patient is taking a daily multivitamin, plus a vitamin C supplement like Emergen-C, a zinc supplement, and an elderberry supplement that also contains zinc and vitamin C.
“I take one product on top of another when I probably only need that multivitamin every day or every other day,” she said. More gas doesn’t make your car go faster, and just like vitamins and minerals, more doesn’t make you feel better.”
Symptoms from overdosing on vitamins and minerals can be general or nonspecific, such as headache, abdominal pain, and heart palpitations. More serious reactions include symptoms like blood clots and stroke, especially in people with liver or kidney problems. is included.
Too much of one nutrient can make you appear deficient in another, making it difficult to self-diagnose the problem. Blood tests can help assess unhealthy levels. Food labels can be better evaluated when deciding which supplements to take.
The required nutrients listed on a typical Nutrition Facts label have changed in recent years to reflect nutrients many Americans don’t get enough of. Labels still need to include calcium and iron. Yes, but instead of requiring vitamins A and C, it now requires vitamin D and potassium.
If possible, nutritionists suggest avoiding supplements in favor of a nutrient-rich diet. For example, citrus fruits and broccoli are good sources of vitamin C. Supplements should only be used if you are deficient, such as if you are struggling to get enough of a particular nutrient naturally.
Hutchinson also recommends avoiding supplements that far exceed the daily recommendations. It is to determine whether there is a possibility of adverse effects from the drug.
For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that drugs for treating HIV/AIDS, heart disease, depression, organ transplants, and oral contraceptives are less effective when combined with an herbal supplement known as St. John’s wort. In addition, taking multiple blood thinners, including vitamin E supplements, may increase the risk of internal bleeding and stroke.
Given that the average American’s diet “has room for improvement,” Hutchinson said there’s nothing wrong with taking a multivitamin in general. Better than others.
“The best rule of thumb is to never exceed 100 percent of[the recommended daily allowance],” she said. is more effective.”
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