Vitamins play an integral role to a healthy life. They provide essential nutrients. It is advisable to get all vitamins from the food you eat. However, millions of people all over the world take supplemental vitamins as part of a daily healthy plan.

Doctors may recommend supplements:

• For certain health problems
• If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Some facts about vitamins are:

• The body uses vitamins for several biological processes that include growth, digestion and nerve function
• The body absolutely needs 13 vitamins which are vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate)

The AAFP cites two categories of vitamins:

• Water-soluble vitamins: these are easily absorbed by the body; the body does not store large amounts; the kidneys remove the vitamins that are not needed
• Fat-soluble vitamins: are absorbed into the body with use of bile acids that are fluids used to absorb fat; the body stores fat-soluble vitamins for use as needed

The dietary supplements produced today contain vitamins and minerals as well as other less familiar substances such as:

• Herbals
• Botanicals
• Amino acids
• Enzymes

It is always wise to check with a health care provider before combining or substituting them with other foods or medicines. In addition:

• Do not self-diagnose health conditions
• Work with your health care provider to determine how best to achieve optimal health

Tips for buying dietary supplements:

• Avoid chasing the latest supplement headlines
• Follow sound health advise is that is generally based on research over time and not just a single story voiced throughout the media
• Steer away from claims of a “quick fix” that differs from scientific research and established dietary guidance
• Be advised that “more” may not be better; some products are actually harmful when taken in high amounts over long periods of time or in combination with certain other substances
• Watch out for false claims and learn how to spot them; if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true

Examples of false claims on product labels may include:

• Quick and effective “cure-all”
• Treats or cures disease
• “Totally safe”
• “All Natural”
• “Definitely no side effects”

Other claims to watch out for include:

• Limited availability
• Offers of “no-risk, money-back guarantees”
• Requirements for advance payment

Concerns to be aware of before purchasing and taking supplements:

• Is this product worth the money?
• Resist pressure to buy a product or treatment on the spot
• Some supplement products may be expensive or may not provide the benefit you expect such as excessive amounts of water-soluble vitamins like vitamins C and B are not used by the body and are eliminated in the urine

Source: FDA Dietary Supplements Guidelines