Vitamins are an essential part of a healthy diet.
Vitamins are nutrients that are essential to human health and should be supplemented if not found in high enough amounts in the diet. As with any nutritional supplement, it is important to know how much to take and whether a certain vitamin can have dangerous interactions with other drugs or supplements.
Types
Though the term "vitamin" is used colloquially to refer to a variety of nutrients, the word actually means the vitamins essential to human health. These are Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and a group of eight nutrients called the B vitamins.
Effects
Deficiency in any of the essential vitamins can cause a variety of diseases, such as scurvy for a Vitamin C deficiency (see Reference 4). Vitamins provide their benefit through consistent ingestion and maintenance of levels within the body. The effect of vitamins is generally disease prevention so it is important that they are taken consistently.
Dangerous Interactions
As with any supplement, vitamins have the potential to interact with other drugs that are taken. Examples of this include Vitamin A's dangerous interaction with high amounts of ethanol, or drinking alcohol (see Reference 1).
Considerations
Certain vitamins can be taken together to maximize their benefit. For example, antioxidants like Vitamins E and C are often taken together. According to health expert Joy Bauer, vitamin D can help improve the absorption of calcium, another essential nutrient (see Reference 2). Generally, it is safe to take any vitamin with another, but this may reduce efficacy (see Reference 3).
Vitamins Taken Alone
Vitamins can be taken alone to maximize absorption into the body and thus improve the benefits they provide. In addition, a vitamin may be taken alone if it is necessary in higher concentrations than other nutrients. Vitamin C, for example, may be needed by some in much higher amounts than provided by a multivitamin. In addition, its water solubility can affect absorption if taken with another drug or without adequate water (see Reference 4).
Warning
Always consult your doctor before starting a vitamin or supplement regimen; they will be best able to warn you of any dangerous interactions with any medication you are taking.
Tags: dangerous interactions, essential human, essential human health, human health, other drugs, Reference Vitamins