Is it good or bad to take vitamins without a doctor's advice?

Taking nutritional supplements to overcome nutritional deficiencies in the body is not a new thing.

These supplements claim to address your body's nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamins, minerals, calcium, iron, and protein, and are available in the market in various forms, including syrups, tablets, energy bars, drinks, or powders.

However, doctors say that these supplements cannot compensate for the lack of a balanced diet. They say that the trend of taking such supplements has increased among women over 30 years of age.

"Multivitamins are essential for vegetarians. But 'one dose does not fit all'. So patients should take medicines on the doctor's advice and not on their own."

”Women in their 30s and 40s come to me who take multivitamins on their own. But don't do that. Because it also has side effects,”

"Usually in cities, people self-medicate or go to drugstores after knowing the disease. This also happens with physical ailments like pain or vitamins. It sometimes doesn't heal." says Dr. Seema Gulati of the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC).

"There is a growing trend of taking medicines by getting information through Google or information on social media. Even without a doctor's prescription, medicines or vitamins are available in India, which also have side effects," he noted.

Effects of supplements on the body

Consume only the supplement and dosage prescribed by the doctor. All these doctors say that there is no benefit from taking too much.

At the same time, doctors say that excessive use of these supplements can also affect the body.

Vitamins- There are many fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E and omega three, explains Dr. Seema Gulati. Taking these vitamins without a doctor's advice can cause them to accumulate or accumulate in the body. They do not leave the body. It can have a bad effect on the body.

Vitamin A and Vitamin E – Excessive intake of Vitamin A can cause problems like vomiting and blurred vision. At the same time, blood pressure decreases due to vitamin E. It can also affect the lungs. Dr. Seema Gulati mentioned that they should be consumed as per the doctor's advice.

Dr. Seema Gupta is the President of C-NET. The center is involved in nutrition and metabolism research.

"Many vitamins are mixed in the body. If they enter the body in large quantities, they are excreted through the stool,” he says.

Vitamin B – This vitamin helps the body produce red blood cells. It also works to strengthen the brain and nerve cells.

• Due to its deficiency, the skin starts turning yellow.

• Weakness is felt.

• Gas, constipation and loss of appetite also occur.

• Heart palpitations and difficulty in breathing will occur.

These are available in two forms and their dosage is lower. At the same time such vitamins are also given to diabetic patients. But taking such supplements unnecessarily for long periods of time can be harmful.

Dr. Raj Aaron explains that vitamin D deficiency is common in children and adolescents. The main reason for this is not going out too much.

The sun is considered a natural source of vitamin D. But now people don't go out much. When the sun's rays reach the body during physical activity, vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium.

He recommends taking vitamin D only for up to three months. But people extend this period. In such a situation, difficulty in breathing, indigestion, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, excessive urination, high blood pressure etc. may occur.

Iron – More than 50 percent of women in India struggle with iron deficiency, according to National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data. So there is no harm in taking iron, said Dr. Sunila Garg.

Dr. Sunila Garg chairs NIHFW's Program Advisory Committee. He was also a professor at Maulana Azad Medical College.

Calcium – Calcium is a mineral that the body needs to strengthen the heart and muscles along with teeth and bones. Doctors usually recommend calcium for women after the age of 40.

The kidney plays an important role in the metabolism of calcium. Long-term intake of calcium increases the risk of stone formation. It hardens the arteries of the heart. Cholesterol starts accumulating in them. It is not good for health.

Calcium deficiency weakens bones. Their density decreases. It increases the risk of diseases like osteoporosis and osteopenia.

By 2022, the dietary supplement market is expected to reach Rs 43,650 crore, according to a report by The International Market Analysis Research and Consulting (IMRC) Group. IMARC experts estimate that this market will reach Rs.95,810 crore by 2028.

People focus on their health. They become active. Diet is also observed. Due to this, the balance of the diet decreases. Vitamins also disappear from food, says Dr. Seema Gulati.

Doctors say that a balanced diet should not be compared with supplements as a nutritious diet helps to overcome all deficiencies.

These supplements will definitely help when a woman starts to move beyond her 30s. But they should be consumed only on doctor's advice. Apart from this, Dr. Seema Gulati advises to do yoga and exercise.