1. Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium, which is important for bone health. Not getting enough of this vitamin can increase: your likelihood of getting sick
your chances of bone and back pain
bone and hair loss While you technically should be able to get your daily vitamin D by being in the sunlight for 15 minutes, the reality is that over 40 percent of people in the United States don’t. Living in wintery locations with little sunlight, working an office 9 to 5 life, and applying sunscreen (which blocks vitamin D synthesis) makes getting vitamin D hard.
Pro-tip: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that children 1-13 years of age and adults 19-70, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, get 600 IU of vitamin D per day.
Do You Need A Supplement?
Most healthy people don’t need one. Reasons include if you’re elderly, take certain medicines, or don’t have easy access to healthy food because of income or where you live.
Prenatal vitamins give you “an extra cushion of safety,” says Van Horn. Care for a young child. Eat a restricted or limited diet.
It’s harder to get some nutrients, like vitamin B12 or calcium, if you leave out certain food groups. Are older than 50. Your gut may not absorb nutrients as well.
Have certain genetic or health conditions.
Diseases & Conditions
The best vitamin supplement differs from person to person depending on their gender, age and any health conditions they have. They are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods and not as drugs.
Companies need to follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) established by the FDA to ensure the identity, purity, strength and composition of their dietary supplements. Gmps reduce the likelihood of contamination or improper packaging and labeling of a product. Most doctors do not recommend health supplements in young, healthy individuals.
That said, some studies have reported that folic acid and B-complex vitamins may reduce the risk of stroke. It is important to remember that health supplements can never replace a healthy, balanced die.
What Vitamins Should You Take Daily?
They can help you decide which products to take, or if you need to take any at all.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamins and minerals is the average daily intake a person needs to avoid deficiencies and stay healthy. There are different ways to measure the RDA.