Things You Did Not Know About Vitamins And Minerals
Things You Did Not Know About Vitamins And Minerals
Many people today are interested in leading a healthy lifestyle by taking vitamins and minerals but sadly they don't know the right ones to take. If you would like good advice about vitamins and minerals but don't know where to begin, the following article is a great start. Keep reading to educated yourself on this subject.
If you are lacking in the vitamin department, you should consider changing your diet. While many people take this as a sign that they need to run to the store and buy a supplement, most of the nutrients you need can be found in food. Do a little research in order to figure out what changes need to be made.
Never ignore the product warnings on vitamin levels. Vitamin and supplements can have serious side effects when taken with prescription and over the counter medicines. Ginseng can be very dangerous if you have high blood pressure or take heart medications. Lycopene can be deadly if you have a tomato allergy. Always read the warning labels or ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements.
Two of the best sources for vitamin D are exposure to the sun and milk. If you are not a big milk drinker or do not spend a lot of time in the sun, you should take a supplement with vitamin D. Vitamin D protects your bones and keeps them from becoming brittle.
When looking for supplements, make sure that you look for those that are in their purest form. For example, Vitamin D3 is the purest form of this supplement and D2 is the synthetic version. This means that the latter may not be as effective and may possibly give you different results than you had hoped for.
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.
If you are a smoker, you should avoid taking any supplements that contain carotene. There have been numerous studies done that show carotene can increase the risk of lung cancer. Since cigarettes can add to this risk, it would be best if you avoided taking carotene if you are planning to continue smoking.
When you take supplements, be careful. Vitamins and minerals are great for your body, but you can overdose. This usually happens when you take too many supplements and is very dangerous. Depending on the vitamin, some of these overdoses can even threaten your life.
You can add folate or vitamin B9 to a healthy diet. It boosts cell health, boosts red blood cell production, and promotes heart health. It can be found in a variety of foods, too. These include lettuce, asparagus, lentils, spinach, and beans. People that do not get enough folate in their diet can also try taking folate supplements.
Eating healthy is the in thing today, and it starts by taking vitamins and minerals that contribute to this process. Thankfully you came across this article that was packed with good tips to follow. Keep learning about new ways to keep healthy, and pay attention to what vitamins and minerals are popular to today.