Minerals & Vitamins

The body depends on vitamins and minerals to function; diet is the main source for nutrients with the condition to consume foods from all major categories. Nutritional supplements are another sources of vitamins and minerals, but they should only be used when diet is deficient. Thus, there are supplements that only include one essential mineral and a vitamin that helps to its metabolism. Thus, calcium depends on vitamin D while magnesium works in combination with vitamin B6, to give just two relevant examples here.

All vitamins and minerals are specialized, and a balanced diet will normally provide enough for the proper body functioning. Supplementation is usually necessary fro mal-absorption and for people who have to recover after illness. When you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis you will need more than just a diet rich in dairy products. Besides diet, you should use a calcium supplement and vitamins D and C to ensure a good absorption.

Then, eye problems can often be treated or improved by the administration of the right combination of vitamins and minerals. Combinations of antioxidants like vitamin C, E and A together with selenium and zinc will prevent glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. They are also known to improve the condition of people who suffer from the dry eye syndrome. Talk to a doctor before using any vitamin supplements. It usually takes medical expertise to recognize and treat vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

A complex combination of vitamins and minerals is used for the treatment of anemia. The problem with self-diagnosis and individual treatment is that you could do more harm than good. The following examples show where you could go wrong with self-administration and not even know it.

There are health conditions that do not allow the administration of certain vitamins and supplements.

- Pregnant women should be careful not to use too much vitamin A because it can cause anatomical defects in the baby.

- Smokers also have problems with the administration of beta-carotene (vitamin A).

- People who suffer from kidney stones may have problems when using calcium supplements.

- Vitamin K interferes with blood thinning medication.

- Iron causes constipation.


The list of problems that may accompany the random use of vitamins and minerals is much longer than this. Yet, with the above mentions, we are trying to send an alarm message to all those who self-treat and use vitamin supplements by the 'ear'.