Vitamin supplements should not be taken on their own

 Vitamin supplements should not be taken on their own

Supplements are available in the market under countless brand names in the form of syrups, tablets, energy bars, drinks or powders. These supplements claim to fulfill the deficiency of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, calcium, iron and protein in the body.

However, according to experts, these supplements cannot compensate for the deficiency of nutritious food. However, the number of people who take such supplements on a whim to stay healthy is increasing.

In this context, Dr. Anam Pyakurel, General Practitioner of Civil Service Hospital, says, “Nowadays, people seem to understand their problems and go to the drugstore to take medicine. Be it painkillers or vitamins, over-the-counter medicines do not always help.”

According to him, the wrong practice of taking medicine based on information from Google and social media is increasing. Medicines or vitamins are easily available in Nepal without a doctor’s prescription, and some of them have their own side-effects, so one must think twice before buying them from a pharmacy.

Dr. Prashant Tripathi, Internal Medicine Consultant at Grande Hospital, says, ‘Supplements in themselves are not a bad thing. Multi-vitamins are important for vegetarians, because vegetarian food alone does not provide complete nutrition. But one type of medicine does not work for everyone. But in such a situation, the patient should not take supplements on their own but only on the advice of a doctor.’

What are the effects of eating indiscriminately on the body?

All the doctors who prescribe supplements available in the market say, ‘You should only take the recommended supplements.’ The reason behind this is that each supplement has its own dosage. How much to take? When to take? Under what conditions to take? What happens if you take too much, says Dr. Tripathi.

Despite saying that they are beneficial, he says that excessive use of these supplements can also have adverse effects on the body.

Giving examples, he says, ‘There are many fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E and omega three. If these vitamins are taken without a doctor's advice, they accumulate in the body but cannot be excreted. If they remain in the body for a long time, they can have a bad effect on the body.

For example, an overdose of vitamin A can cause symptoms such as vomiting and blurred vision. While taking more vitamin E than required can lower blood pressure and also affect the lungs. Therefore, Dr. Tripathi advises taking it for the duration and amount prescribed by the doctor.

According to Dr. Pyakurel, if there is too much vitamin B supplementation in the body, symptoms such as itchy skin, diarrhea, tingling in the hands and feet, insomnia, and increased blood pressure are seen. Its effects are more noticeable in older people.

'This vitamin helps in making red blood cells in the body. It also works to strengthen the brain and nerve cells. Such vitamins are especially given to diabetic patients,' he says.

Dr. Pyakurel says that similar problems are also seen in those who take too much vitamin D and calcium supplements.

‘There is dense population in the city. It is difficult for children and the elderly to see the main source of vitamin D, the sun. Due to this, vitamin D deficiency is increasing. Therefore, if the test shows vitamin D deficiency, we give supplements for three months,’ he says, ‘Some extend this period. The results after that bother the patient.’

According to him, an overdose of vitamin D can cause problems such as difficulty breathing, digestive problems, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, frequent urination, and high blood pressure.

Talking about calcium, doctors generally advise women to consume calcium after the age of 40. Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for the body to strengthen teeth and bones, as well as the heart and muscles.

In such a situation, consuming calcium for a long time increases the risk of stones. Due to this, the arteries of the heart become hard and fat and cholesterol start to increase in them, which is not good for health, says Dr. Pyakurel.

Nutritional deficiency due to excessive dieting

Recently, most of the people who come to the hospital's OPD have been found to have health problems due to dieting, says Dr. Tripathi.

'People are becoming more conscious about their health. They are also dieting. Excessive dieting disrupts the balance of food and may not provide the vitamins they need from food,' he says.

According to him, a balanced diet cannot be compared to supplements. Because a nutritious diet helps to fulfill the necessary elements in the body. But supplements solve the targeted problem. If not eaten in balance, they also cause side-effects.

However, in some cases where food does not work in the body, supplements may need to be taken for a limited period. Which should be taken only after a health examination on the advice of a doctor, says Dr. Tripathi.