Supplements: Do you need them?

Hardly a day goes by without news of the health benefits of vitamin X or mineral Y which will "prevent" disease and hopefully prolong your lifespan.

Millions of people in North America regularly take a daily vitamin and mineral supplement as a preventative measure to guard against vitamin and mineral deficiencies and/or prevent particular diseases.

Indeed, many health care professionals advise their patients to take a multi-complex supplement to "be on the safe side".

Research shows that in the case of vitamin or mineral deficiency taking an appropriate amount of a particular vitamin or mineral supplement can bring about health improvement and may even be life saving.

However, in recent years, the results of new research indicate that vitamin and mineral overload may be as detrimental to health as vitamin or mineral deficiencies. However, reseach is inconsistent.

The vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function can be obtained by eating sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry and meat.

Yet millions of people take individual vitamin and mineral supplements either in addition to a multi-complex supplement, or to make up for foods that may be absent from their diet. Increasingly, processed foods and beverages are fortified with vitamins and minerals to make them appear healthier.

While vitamin and mineral deficiency may negatively affect your health, are you at risk for supplement overload through consuming too much? How do you know if you are getting enough vitamins and minerals, or too much? And what is enough?

To learn more link to the full article.