Be Smart About Taking Vitamins, Supplements and Medicines

We all take pills at one time or another in our lifetime.  What do you really know about what the pills you take?   There are some very important things about vitamins, supplements and medicines that you should know:


VitaminsVitamins are necessary for the body to grow and develop normally. There are 13 vitamins your body needs. Each vitamin has specific purpose in keeping the body functioning well. The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. However, in some cases, you may need to take a daily multivitamin for optimal health. If you have low levels of certain vitamins, you may develop a deficiency disease. Like-wise, excessive vitamins in the body can produce illness as well as symptoms similar to a deficiency of the same vitamin.

MedicineMedicine is most effective when taken safely whether on a short-term or long-term basis. Taking medicine safely requires you to be aware of the purpose of the medication, side-effects and interactions with other medicines, food or dietary supplements. Medicines can interact with each other and with dietary supplements, reducing effectiveness or causing problems in the body.

SummaryCreate a list of everything you take. Include all medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, herbal supplements. Visit with your Doctor or Pharmacist to determine if you are taking too much of something or a combination that will cause you more harm than good.

You can also do research of your own on the internet. However discussing the findings with your Doctor or Pharmacist will ensure the right decisions are made.