“What is a vitamin?”
The answer is “A vitamin or mineral to give sustenance in addition to a healthy diet.” All foods can be broken down into "Macro" ie fats, carbohydrates, protein and fibre. If not macro they are categorised as micro nutrients otherwise known as" Vitamins"
Why is a vitamin often called a food supplement
Vitamins are classed as supplementing a healthy diet, therefore the name "food supplement".
You can get them in your local Health Store, online, sometimes in your pharmacy (or if you want cheap and cheerful) even in your supermarket.
When to take a vitamin
But just because they are widely available, that is not a reason to necessarily take vitamins?
With that in mind there are two reasons you would take food supplements.
- If you lack a particular vitamin or mineral.
- To help with a particular ailment.
Test for vitamins and minerals deficiencies
So how do you know if you lack a particular food supplement? Well, you go to the doctor and get your bloods done. Doctors will test you for B vitamins, iron, vitamin D and more. If there's a specific vitamin you are worried about ask the doctor before you go in for the test, they might be able to get a test for it even if its not one they normally test for.
When to take a vitamin
Helping with a particular ailment – you might take vitamin C to help get over a cough or cold. You might take magnesium if you find you are cramping alot at night time. You may well take a multi mineral supplement for prevention of osteoporosis. And so it goes, on and on.
Eating well is better than taking vitamins
But the answer to our question is actually NO. If your bloods are good, you have no health issues and you eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, there is no reason to take a vitamin or food supplement.
