This article is from "Nankai Sun Pharmacist", which is used for medical science popularization for reference. Who needs a vitamin supplement?Is it better to eat vitamins before or after a meal?What are the dangers of indiscriminate use of vitamins?One article to make it clear:
1. People who supplement vitamins:
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding their children: they need more nutrients. In addition to eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, they should also supplement with folic acid preparations, which is an effective measure to prevent fetal bone marrow defects.
People who don't drink milk and don't get sun exposure: These people should take some vitamin D supplements, otherwise they are prone to osteoporosis.
People who adhere to a low-calorie diet: This type of person may not consume all kinds of nutrients due to insufficient total caloric intake, so vitamin preparations can be appropriately supplemented.
People with certain medical conditions: Such people should take vitamin supplements under the guidance of a doctor. For example, if you have a disease that affects nutrient absorption, such as indigestion and liver disease, or you have just undergone surgery, or have taken antacids, antibiotics, laxatives, etc. for a long time, you need to supplement vitamins under the guidance of your doctor.
Elderly: The elderly are prone to vitamin deficiency due to the decline of metabolic function of various organs of the body, reduced digestion and absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract, poor appetite, long-term eating less, and some diseases such as partial eating, anorexia, picky eating, or due to lifestyle habits and other reasons, so it is necessary to appropriately supplement some vitamins.
2. Vitamin taking time:
B vitamins, vitamin C and other water-soluble vitamins, after oral absorption is mainly in the small intestine, if taken on an empty stomach before meals, these vitamins quickly through the stomach, into the small intestine and be absorbed, their concentration in the blood rises quickly, so that it can not be fully utilized by the human body, part of it is excreted through the urine. If taken after a meal, these vitamins are slowly absorbed through the small intestine due to the presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing them to be fully utilized by the body.
Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K must be dissolved in fatty foods to be absorbed. Most fat-soluble vitamins cannot be dissolved if taken on an empty stomach, so they are difficult to absorb. If taken after a meal, the fats in the food allow the fat-soluble vitamins to dissolve sufficiently, allowing them to be better absorbed and utilized. In summary, vitamins should be taken after meals.
3. The harm of indiscriminate use of vitamins:
Vitamin A: Uses: Used for dry eye disease, night blindness, keratomalacia, etc.
Harm: Long-term use of vitamin A in large quantities is prone to nausea, vomiting, increased intracranial pressure, itching, decreased appetite, general malaise, anemia, proptosis and other poisoning symptoms. Long-term consumption of vitamin A in pregnant women can lead to congenital defects or malformations of newborn tissues and organs.
Vitamin B1:
Uses: For myocarditis, neuritis, hyperthyroidism, dyspepsia and other diseases of the adjunct**, harm: a large amount of vitamin B1 can cause headaches, irritability, arrhythmia, edema and neurasthenia, and even massive bleeding.
Vitamin B6:
Uses: Used to relieve pregnancy vomiting, ** peripheral neuritis caused by isoniazid, insomnia, etc.
Harms: Excessive use of vitamin B during pregnancy can lead to vitamin B6 dependence syndrome in newbornsDaily application of vitamin B6 (2 6 grams) for several months can cause severe neuroparesthesias, progressive unsteadiness of gait to numbness of the feet, and indexterity of the hands, which can be relieved by stopping the drug, but still weak.
Vitamin C: Uses: For **scurvy, it can also be used for various acute and chronic infectious diseases and purpura and other auxiliaries**.
Harm: Long-term consumption of vitamin C in large quantities can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stomach cramps and other symptoms;Vitamin C can also destroy vitamin B12 in food, hinder the absorption of calcium and zinc in food, and then lead to copper, calcium, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin D: Uses: used for the prevention and treatment of rickets, osteomalacia and tetany. Harm: Long-term use of vitamin D in large quantities can lead to decreased appetite, abnormal liver function, kidney damage, bone hardening and other diseases.
Vitamin E: Uses: Used for threatened miscarriage and infertility, also used for anti-mourning, prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis.
Harm: Long-term high-dose consumption of vitamin E will lead to endocrine and metabolic disorders in vitamin E deficiency, affect sexual function, and increase the risk of thrombophlebitis.