Wondering why your vitamins aren’t working?
An RD reveals the most common supplement mistakes that waste your money and hurt your health.
After all, Americans are estimated to spendmore than 50 billion dollarson supplements annually.
Below, six common supplement mistakes I see as a registered dietitian.
What not to do when taking supplements
1.
Taking something without confirming whether you need it
Ever heard the phrase: Test, dont guess?
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The mantra is a friendly reminder that providers need data before they can recommend targeted medical or nutritional interventions.
The same idea applies to supplements.
So unnecessarily supplementing B12 will mostly just result in you pissing away your money.
(Sorry, I had to.)
Taking unnecessary supplements isnt always low risk, though.
Another example: Taking a buzzy hormone balancing supplement without confirming that you actually have a hormonal imbalance.
(The only thing more annoying than a true hot flash is a hot flash you gave yourself.)
Most likely, that is no longer necessary.
Heres Exactly How It Can Affect Your Poop
2.
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I ask because swallowing 10 (10!)
Not to mention youll also get a small amount of calcium and omega-3s from the chia.
This is one of those supplement mistakes I see all the time in my practice.
Sometimes its comically low, other times its frighteningly high.
Even compounds that our bodies naturally produce, likemelatonin,have upper limitswhen taken in supplement form.
Take magnesium, for example.
Magnesium glycinate supplements may be helpful for nighttime relaxation, while magnesium citrate andmagnesium oxide supplements act as laxatives2.
Im not anti-supplements, Im just pro-transparency.
This happens often when people are taking multiple products.
When it comes to supplements, more isnt always better.
Work with a credentialed provider to streamline your routine, and back up your hard-earned money.
Alkundi, Alamin et al.
Vitamin D intoxication and severe hypercalcaemia complicating nutritional supplements misuse.BMJ case reportsvol.
2022, doi:10.1136/bcr-2022-250553
Mori, Hideki et al.
Magnesium Oxide in Constipation.Nutrientsvol.
28 Jan. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13020421.
Fischer, Jordie A J et al.
81,8 (2023): 904-920. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac106
Wiesner, Agnieszka et al.
Levothyroxine Interactions with Food and Dietary Supplements-A Systematic Review.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)vol.
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