Healtuy Dosage: Recharge for Family Plans Much Should You Take per Natural energy sources A Quiz for Teens Are You a Vitaamin What parents need to know. Does Too Much Vitamin C Cause Side Effects? Because much of your body consists of water, many of the water-soluble vitamins circulate easily in your body.

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home Nutrition. To receive email updates about this topic, enter your email address. Email Address. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies Our body only needs a small amount of vitamins and minerals every day External Link.

However, some people may need supplements to correct vitamin or mineral deficiencies and this includes: pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding people who smoke , drink alcohol in excess or use illegal drugs crash dieters or those on very strict diets the elderly especially those who are disabled or chronically ill some vegetarians or vegans women with heavy periods people with food allergies those with malabsorption problems such as diarrhoea , coeliac disease , cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis.

Folate and pregnancy Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are recommended folic acid also known as folate supplements to reduce their risk of having a child with a neural tube defect , such as spina bifida.

Vegan diets and vitamin supplements People who follow vegan diets , especially if pregnant, may benefit from vitamin B12 supplements. Vitamin pills are not miracle cures It is commonly believed that taking mega-doses of certain vitamins will act like medicine to cure or prevent certain ailments.

Stress, tiredness and vitamin pills Vitamin supplements are commonly considered to be an antidote to stress. Anti-ageing vitamins Vitamin E is often singled out as the potential fountain of youth. Vitamin use and cancer claims Some claims have been made that certain vitamins can treat different cancers.

For example: Vitamin A beta-carotene in large doses does not cure cancer and can be toxic, particularly if taken as pills rather than food. Studies have linked vitamin A to an increase in other cancers — such as lung cancer in smokers, if taken in supplement form.

Although there is some evidence vitamin E could play a small role in preventing some cancers, equally there is evidence that it could speed up the onset of other types of cancer.

However, this has not been proved or disproved. High doses of antioxidants are unlikely to help with the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In fact, megadoses of antioxidants can interfere with some medical treatments for cancer by helping to protect the cancer cells that the therapies aim to destroy. Some studies have shown prostate , breast and lung cancer risk are not decreased by taking high-dose supplements containing vitamins E or C or selenium.

Vitamin and mineral supplements can be dangerous Proper balance and adequate levels of essential nutrients is important for a range of complex processes in our body. High doses of vitamin supplements are unsafe Many people mistakenly believe that since small amounts of vitamins are good for you, then large amounts must be better.

Taking higher than recommended doses of some vitamins may cause health problems. Such as: Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble, which means they are stored in the body and if taken in high doses can be toxic. High doses of some water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B6, can also become toxic.

Large folate intakes can hide vitamin B12 deficiencies. High levels of vitamin B6 have also been linked to some types of nerve damage. Doses of vitamin C above one gram can cause diarrhoea.

Excessive amounts of vitamin C in the body can also interfere with medical tests — such as diabetes tests, by giving a false result. High doses of vitamin A may cause birth defects, as well as central nervous system, liver, bone and skin disorders.

High-dose vitamin E supplements have been linked to higher rates of early death mortality. Large doses of minerals can also lead to health problems Excessive doses of some minerals may also cause problems for example: At just 5 times the RDI, zinc, iron, chromium and selenium can be raised to toxic levels in the body.

Large intakes of fluoride especially in childhood may stain, and even weaken, the teeth. Very large doses of fish oil can lead to decreased blood clotting.

Iron toxicity is also common. Even a small amount over the RDI can cause gastrointestinal upset, nausea and black bowel actions poo. Severe toxicity can lead to coma and even death. Stay safe and keep to the recommended dose For a healthy adult, if supplements are used, they should generally be taken at levels close to the RDI.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are a short-term measure Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is a short-term measure. Seek professional advice when taking vitamin and mineral supplements Some complementary medicines , such as vitamin and mineral supplements can interact with prescription medicines and medical treatments.

Where to get help Your GP doctor Dietitians Australia External Link Tel. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand External Link , National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government.

Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. This electrolyte is essential for maintaining fluid balance in your body and helping your muscles contract, among other things. Many people try to limit their sodium intake and some people need to , but consuming too little sodium can lead to health problems just like consuming too much can.

The foods highest in sodium generally aren't the healthiest sources of sodium, and sometimes a single savory snack can nearly reach the daily recommended sodium limit. However, some whole foods contain trace amounts of sodium, including:. You likely already eat plenty of foods high in sodium, such as bread, pasta, soup, deli meat, sauces and dressings, broths, stocks, canned foods, frozen foods and snack foods.

Most people don't need to increase their sodium intake and should limit sodium-rich foods if they tend to eat more than the recommended daily allowance of 2, milligrams. Another important electrolyte, potassium supports a regular and healthy heartbeat, offsets sodium's effect on blood pressure, supports nerve function and muscle contraction, and moves waste products out of cells.

Foods high in potassium include:. Chloride is an electrolyte that works with sodium and potassium to fulfill a variety of roles in the body. Dietary chloride primarily comes from table salt and sea salt, and most people get enough through the foods they eat daily, but you can maximize chloride intake by eating these foods:.

Your body uses sulfur to repair DNA, protect your cells against damage, metabolize food and provide structure to your skin and other connective tissues.

It's an important trace mineral you can get from a variety of foods, including:. Most people know iron for its role in blood production.

Most of the iron in your body is found in hemoglobin and myoglobin , two substances essential to the transport and transferring of oxygen throughout your body. The top food sources of iron include:. This trace mineral is a cofactor for many enzymes, which means it plays a role in lots of chemical reactions that occur in your body, including the metabolism of carbs and protein.

The best food sources of manganese are:. Like manganese, copper is a cofactor for several enzymes. It's also important for proper brain development and connective tissue integrity. Here's where to find copper in food:. Your body needs iodine for proper thyroid function: Without it, your body can't make enough thyroid hormones.

Iodine is especially important for babies and pregnant women, because this mineral is crucial to bone and brain formation. The primary source of iodine in the American diet is iodized salt.

If you consume a lot of salt, you probably get enough iodine. But in case you don't, you can find iodine in these other foods:. Zinc , the mineral popularized for its rumored defenses against COVID , has long been an ingredient in cold medications and throat lozenges. In addition to its well-known role in immune function, zinc also contributes to wound healing and protein synthesis.

The best food sources of zinc include:. Cobalt is found in the body as part of vitamin B and helps your body process and absorb the vitamin.

Last Updated November This article was created by Healtuy. org Heallthy staff and reviewed Healthy vitamin resources Deepak Resourcws. Patel, MD, FAAFP, FACSM. Micronutrients Lentils for detoxification the vitamins and minerals found in food. They nourish your body and are essential to your overall health. Choosing foods each day that are rich in vitamins and minerals is the best way to give your body what it needs to be healthy.