Over intake of vitamin supplements as substitute for a balanced life style and healthy eating has become an alarming health risk in the UK.
Thousands of patients in the United Kingdom may be at a high risk of overdosing them selves on vitamin pill. A poll conducted by a team of researchers randomly on 250 GP’s found that 41% of them believe that some of their patients were overdosing on vitamins and remained unaware of the risks they were placing upon their body.
A large number of patients were ignorant about the fact that these natural supplements could have a potentially negative effect when combined with some of the common medication they were already on.Doctors have reported seeing a 13 % increasing in the number of patients who seek medical help after they have suffered adverse side effects due to taking vitamin supplements.
Nearly all the doctors questioned by the research team said their patients overestimated the health benefits of taking vitamin supplement pills. Many people were using them as a substitute for balanced diet and lifestyle.
Dr Tony Calland' Chairman of the British medical Association's Welsh Council said 'The general public have unrealistic beliefs in the vitamin's benefits. If you have normal levels of vitamins in your body, the benefits are that you don't get certain known diseases. But the converse is not true - if you have excessive amounts you do not become super fit and strong'.
There is a mounting concern over off the counter and Internet sales of vitamin supplements. Many health professionals feel that vitamin supplements need to undergo more rigorous testing, The need for a tougher regime to control the regulation of vitamin supplements should be set up including which involves restricting their accessibly to appropriate health professionals .
1.A High does of Iron supplements can interact with antibiotics and make them less effective in fighting infections.
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3.Over does of Vitamin A during pregnancy can harm the unborn child.
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Vitamins are substances that are found in the foods we eat. They are necessary for the body to function effectively.
There are two kinds of vitamins in the body. Fat Soluble and water-soluble. Use medindia’s interactive tool to help understand more about vitamins and their requirements in an individual’s body.
https://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/vitamin_class.asp
For More Info:
Mineral Contents of the Body
https://www.medindia.net/patients/calculators/pro_minvit_food.asp
Nutrients needed during pregnancy.
https://www.medindia.net/Patients/PatientInfo/pregnancyanddiet_nutrients4.htm
Drug manual on vitamins
https://www.medindia.net/doctors/drugsdetails.asp?d1=Multivitamins
