We have a tendency to think of vitamin supplements as being universally good for us. Some people fall into the trap of assuming that if their diet is lacking in nutrients they can simply top up their supply with multivitamins to improve their wellbeing. Unfortunately, however, it seems that a number of people who take multivitamins don’t really understand or consider the long-term effects they can have.
New research, released by Canstar Blue, suggests that more than half of Australians who take multivitamins aren’t aware that they are medicines. Generally they are considered to be less powerful or side-effect-free when compared to traditional medicines. However, it is important to remember that multivitamins can have a huge effect on your body and health.
Naturally, if you take multivitamins there are always potential side-effects, and these can become even more complicated if you also take standard, prescribed or over-the-counter medicines. A number of the interactions between these medicines have not been studied yet and therefore cannot be fully understood.
As with combining any medicines, this should be done with care and you should always consult your doctor before taking a new medication. It’s worth remembering that while standard medication goes through a lot of testing before it is made available, generally vitamins and supplements do not go through the same scrupulous process.
Many people worry that their doctors will not approve of the use of supplements, so they avoid mentioning it so as to not risk disrupting their routine. Of course, your doctor will always be looking out for your health and will only recommend you avoiding certain supplements if they are known to interact badly with the standard medication you are taking.
There are many examples of vitamins and minerals combining badly with standard medications and causing major health concerns such as increasing the risk of kidney stones, or blocking the blood from clotting properly.
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