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Do We Really Need Supplements?

© Gina Dronenburg

Recently, I went through a "not so easy to handle" situation that opened my eyes to vitamin and mineral supplementation, and whether it is truly needed. I was always under the impression that if I ate what I considered "healthy" food, there was no need to supplement. I was surprised to say the least. I realized after speaking with my doctor, that we can always use a little help. We don't eat the healthiest diet in general here in America, so any help that we can get (in moderation of course), is always welcome.

One of the most important supplements is Vitamin C. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean mega doses of this particular vitamin, as there has been controversial information published on the true benefits of Vitamin C. in megadoses. I do believe though, that moderate dosages of this vitamin can help boost the immune system, amongst other combinations to help with many situations that our bodies are faced to handle each and every day. A normal "supplemental" dosage is one 250mg. tablet in the morning, and one at night before you go to bed. This totals 500mg per day in supplement form. This is considered safe and needed to help our bodies with the daily effects of free radicals, exercise, pollution, radiation in the air, etc.

Another beneficial vitamin I will suggest taking is Vitamin E. Again, not in megadoses, but in safe and needed regular supplemental doses. This vitamin helps with the formation of red blood cells and muscle tissue growth. 400 I.U. per day is safe and considered needed by many health authorities. This vitamin can be purchased in 200 I.U. gelcaps. (they are small and round if you have never seen one) One gelcap taken in the morning and one at night before you go to bed, gives you a total of 400 I.U. per day. This is considered to be a safe nutritional supplemental dosage.

And, last but not least, is a One-A-Day supplement. These are regular vitamins with a combination of dosages of different supplements believed to be needed by our bodies on a daily basis. Some have minerals added and others have extra supplements to help with oxidation etc. Again, one of these a day gives you a little extra help to fight off the "negative" situations our bodies must go through each day.

Many people take only a One-A-Day supplemental vitamin and feel fine doing so. I was one of these people for years until recently. I decided that I had nothing to lose by adding some of the other supplements, and that hopefully they would help me with my own particular situations. To this date, I have suffered no ill effects from doing so, and actually feel healthier. (whether this is psychological or not, I don't know) I just want to give my body the most help that I can give it.

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