Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: Avoiding Fad Diet Shams

In this day and age you simply cannot pick up a magazine or turn on a television set without seeing an advertisement for some sort of new diet program or plan. With all of the claims being made in regard to the various diet regimens it can be very difficult to determine what diet plans will work and what diet plans will not be effective. Included within many diet plans are the usage of different types of vitamin and nutritional supplement products.

There are a number of factors that you need to keep in mind when weighing and balancing a diet program that you are considering implementing. In this regard, you will want to take a look at how a diet program incorporates the usage of vitamins and nutritional supplements and at what sorts of claims a particular diet plan makes to its adherents.

Unfortunately, there are many marketing campaigns underway in this day and age that promote vitamins and nutritional supplements in such a way that these products seem like “wonder drugs.” There are many operators who are hawking vitamin and nutritional supplement products with claims that they will work wonders, that they will permit you to undergo a rapid weight loss.

There are, indeed, some products which can assist a person in losing weight rather fast. However, fast weight loss is not always healthy weight loss. In fact, study after study confirms that many people who have experienced a rapid weight loss -- many times using a vitamin or nutritional supplement product -- have ended up regaining the lost weight (or even more) in the end.

They key to incorporating nutritional supplements as well as vitamins into an overall program is to ensure that these products work towards both health and sustained weight loss. In other words, it is vital to avoid fad diets.

Fad diets are not only ineffective in the long run -- these diet plans and regimens can cause serious health problems to an adherent. Once again, it is vital that you avoid those diet plans that make outlandish claims. In the end, weight loss and proper weight maintenance requires healthy dieting, the proper use of nutritional supplements as well as vitamins and regular, appropriate exercise. By combining these three elements of health living, you will be well on your way towards reaching your weight loss goals -- and towards keeping the weight off on into the future.

Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: Going Natural Or Staying Synthetic

In recent years a growing number of men and women have taken to using natural vitamins and nutritional supplements as opposed to the more traditional, synthetic versions of these products. There are a number of differences between natural and synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements that should be considered when you are trying determine what type of product will best meet your own particular needs and dieting goals.

Many experts have concluded that natural vitamins and nutritional supplements “work better” in a person’s body. These products absorb into a person’s system easier, according to these researchers. As a result, there are a significant number of nutritional experts who recommend natural vitamins and nutritional supplements because they appear to be more effective in their interaction within a person’s body.

Of course, one of the overall benefits of synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements is cost. As a general rule, synthetic products do cost less than their natural counterparts. In point of fact, oftentimes synthetic products costs a great deal less than similar natural products. Therefore, a consumer on a budget very well may want to use a synthetic product to save a little money.

In regard to the costs of products, some people would argue that because natural products may be more effective -- because natural vitamins and nutritional supplements may work more efficiently in a person’s body -- the extra expenses associated with these products may pay off over the long run. In other words, because you get “more bang for your buck” with a natural product, the actual costs associated with these products up front may pay off over time as a consumer utilizes these products.

There is some limited evidence that some of the materials contained in synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements may not be beneficial to a human being over time -- indeed, there is some indication that some of these materials might be harmful over time. The research in this regard is not, as of yet, conclusive. However, there has been a movement in recent years to revamp the chemical makeup of certain synthetic products -- including vitamins and nutritional supplements -- in order to work to ensure that they are in fact healthier for people both in the short and in the long term.

A nutritionist or doctor can provide you with additional information on the pros and cons of natural versus synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Vitamins And Nutritional Supplements: When Too Much … Is Too Much

There are a significant number of people who utilize vitamins and nutritional supplements in this day and age. In point of fact, there is a notable percentage of these vitamin and nutritional supplement users who utilize more of these products than is recommended. These people espouse the belief that “if one is good, a lot is terrific.” In other words, these people utilize well in excess the recommended daily allowance of a particular vitamin or nutritional supplement product.

In reality, the overuse of certain types of vitamin and nutritional supplements can have serious, negative consequences. A number of these consequences are outlined in this article to assist you in making better decisions in regard to the proper use of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

There are some vitamins and supplements that do not necessarily have harmful effects when used beyond recommend allowances. However, by taking more of these vitamins and supplements, you are not obtaining any additional benefit beyond that which you would enjoy by taking only the daily recommended allowance. In other words, “overdosing” will not cause you physical harm; however, “overdosing” simply will have no helpful or beneficial effects in your overall program for healthy living.

On the other hand, there are certain types of vitamins, minerals and supplements that can be harmful if taken beyond the recommended daily allowance. For example, if you are a man, you need to pay close attention to the amount of iron that you ingest. Too much iron in a man’s system can have serious medical consequences. (Many men who are health conscious avoid taking multi-vitamins that contain iron in their mixtures. Using multi-vitamins can make it more difficult to keep track of what you are taking and ingesting in the way of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis.)

Before you commence a diet regimen that includes vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, you should take the time -- indeed, you really must take the time -- to consult with your doctor to determine what combination of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements will best serve your needs and best enhance your health. Your doctor can also assist you in selecting the best vitamin, mineral and supplement products or can recommend a nutritionist who can assist you in obtaining the most appropriate and healthy products for your needs and good health. By obtaining professional assistance, you will be able to create and craft the most appropriate overall eating, exercise and supplement program not only for today but for your own health future.

Vitamins, Nutritional Supplements And Work Out Routines:developing Regimen For Healthy Living

Over the course of the past couple of years, the news media has been awash with reports of the increasing number of people around the world who are obese and who are not eating proper diets. In addition, innumerable news stories recount the fact that many people get little or no appropriate exercise on a regular basis whatsoever. Perhaps you are a person who has not undertaken any sort of exercise routine in recent times. However, perhaps you have made the decision to start leading a more healthy life and to that end you are inclined to develop and commence a work out routine.

If you are interested in rounding out a workable and beneficial workout routine, you might want to consider utilizing vitamins and nutritional supplements as a part of that program. On many levels, developing a beneficial program for healthy living is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.

In addition to including the piece of selecting the right foods to eat, you will also want to develop a solid work out routine. One method through which you can smartly link up the diet and the exercise portion of your healthy living plan is through the use of vitamins and nutritional supplements.

When it comes to vitamins and nutritional supplements, these products can have a two prong effect on assisting you in your trek towards a healthy life. First of all, these products directly benefit a person when they properly are utilized. Secondly, these products can enhance your work out performance and efforts.

For example, if you elect to utilize a nutritional supplement that provides energy or fuel (one that is appropriately balanced between carbs and protein) you will be able to have the energy necessary to undertake a hearty work out. In addition, through the use of certain vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements, you can enhance your muscle mass and your cardio-vascular health.

Of course, before you begin any diet or exercise program, it is necessary for you to consult with your doctor. You must keep in mind that dieting, exercise and the use of vitamins and supplements is serious business -- it is not something you need to take lightly. You must seek appropriate professional guidance before you embark on any program that involves dieting, exercise, as well as vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Why you should take the correct amount of nutritional supplements

In nutritional supplements, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) set by the FDA is a guideline of the minimum amounts needed of a nutrient to stay healthy, but in numerous cases consuming more may be right for you. You ought to consult your doctor before taking larger quantities but in many cases, additional quantities may be needed to meet your personal requirements. Some medications and medical conditions can impact the body's ability to absorb and utilize vitamins and minerals and your doctor, nutritionist or other health care provider can advise you what amounts are best for you.

Keep in mind that if you take the right amounts of herbal or other supplements, there is a huge benefit in better health, more energy and greater mental clarity. The problem occurs only when vitamins and minerals are consumed in huge quantities, well over the published RDA. Since many nutritional supplements can appear as if they are candy to a child, always store your supplements in a safe place, out of reach of little hands.

One reason it is important to take the correct amounts of nutritional supplements is that over-supplementation can impact your health and even be hazardous. For instance, if you take high doses of Vitamin E, it won't be harmful but it can cause Vitamin K to be useless in clotting blood. If too much Vitamin E were taken in conjunction with blood thinners that various medical conditions require, significant dangers such as nose bleeds and injuries that can't be stopped from bleeding could potentially result. Since Vitamin E is stored in the body's fat, the impact can be cumulative when consuming too much of this necessary vitamin.

If excessive amounts of calcium are taken, the potential that formation of kidney stones can happen should be considered. Certain dietary issues such as high quantities of dairy products in the diet combined with large quantities of tea add to the possibility of painful stone formation.

Folic acid, when taking the right amounts of nutritional supplements, is very important. When too much is taken, Vitamin B12 deficiency can be masked. Amounts of niacin well in excess of the RDA can damage liver tissues as well as cause gastrointestinal upsets while the right dosage can be very important to good health and a sense of wellness.

Iron is another thing to be certain to take the right amount rather than too much. Some children have been poisoned by overdosing on iron and you should always make certain to purchase iron in a childproof package.

Selenium, when taking the right amounts, is very beneficial. Amounts over the RDA can result in vomiting, nervous system problems and even hair and nail loss. Lesions on the skin can appear. It is very important to take this very necessary supplement in recommended quantities.

Taking doses, much over the RDA, of Vitamin A has the potential to cause serious liver damage. It can even cause birth defects if huge amounts are taken during pregnancy, especially if this occurs during the first trimester of the pregnancy.
Nerve disorders and muscle weekends can result from taking far too much Vitamin B6 over a prolonged period of time. Vitamin C can cause diarrhea and urinary tract problems if taken in extremely large doses.

Taking the right amounts of nutritional supplements containing Vitamin D is important. The result of overdosing on Vitamin D can be irreversible kidney damage, potentially causing the need for dialysis for the rest of the person's lifetime. Heart and blood vessel damage can also occur when the dosage is much too high.
Zinc, a very necessary component for health, can reduce the body's ability to absorb copper and mute the body's immune system response. Immune system response is crucial for the body to be able to fight off illness and disease.

Any supplements, even if they only contain herbs and botanicals, have the potential to be dangerous if not used with caution. Again, if taken in the right amounts, they can be quite useful; just don't take higher quantities than recommended. Since there is no RDA for any of these products controlled by the FDA, never exceed the dosage on the label unless a qualified health care professional tells you to do so. Also, remember to keep in mind, herbal supplements are not necessarily approved by the FDA but instead, are only regulated.

Brewer's yeast in huge amounts can cause nausea and diarrhea. Chaparral can result in toxic hepatitis when over-dosage occurs. Comfrey in large amounts has been found to cause liver damage. Excessive use of germanium can result in kidney failure and has even resulted in death so be vigilant about any product that contains this substance. Ginseng can help memory and mental clarity in the right amounts when too much has been shown to cause blood pressure fluctuations, anxiety and insomnia. Ma Huang when taken in large amounts can cause blood pressure to increase, muscle injury to occur and nerve damage. Yohimbe has the potential to cause kidney failure, seizures and death when taken in huge amounts.

It is easy to see why you must take the right amounts of nutritional supplements. The benefits are great when used properly but the dangers, as with almost any medication or natural supplement, can be very bad. Listen to your health care professionals about how much to take and be sure to let them know what natural supplements you may be ingesting so they can ensure your health remains the very best. By avoiding dangerous over-dosage of substances that are healthy when taken in smaller quantities, always read the label and if you doctor has recommended taking more or less than the label recommendations, note that fact on the bottle or package so that you don't make a dangerous error.