Drinking vitamins today is not only healthy, but also fashionable! But the variety of healthy additives and colorful jars can be overwhelming.
To figure out which vitamins to choose, what to combine them with and which complexes to pay attention to BeautyHack, the allergist-immunologist Valentina Gennadyevna Afanasyeva helped.
Afanasyeva Valentina Gennadievna
Allergist-immunologist, pediatrician
Why do we need vitamins?
Vitamins play an important role in the life of any person - they regulate metabolism and contribute to the normal course of almost all biochemical and physiological processes in the body.
In addition, it is vitamins that ensure the normal functioning of the immune, cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems, and also participate in the formation of hormones and necessary enzymes, increase the body's resistance to the action of toxins, radionuclides and other harmful factors.
How to take vitamin complexes correctly?
If we talk about multivitamin complexes, then it is better to drink them once every 3 months. However, if the deficiency of any vitamin or trace element is confirmed by laboratory tests, then you need to take the necessary supplements for at least three months, constantly monitoring the analyzes. As soon as the situation stabilizes, it is recommended to continue taking the drug in a prophylactic dose for some time.
There are vitamin complexes that need to be taken once a day - they are convenient and effective. But there are also additives such as, for example, "Alphabet" or "Duovit", in which vitamins are divided into several parts for better absorption with each other - such drugs also work well, the only question is whether this scheme will be convenient for you reception (read the link for the rules for choosing vitamins).
When it comes to the compatibility of vitamins, the simultaneous intake of vitamin D and calcium is not recommended - in practice, there are many cases when the simultaneous intake of such supplements led to heart disease and kidney pathologies.
What modern vitamin complexes should you pay attention to?
"Complivit" is a good vitamin complex, but the shell of the tablets themselves can cause unpleasant sensations from the gastrointestinal tract in patients, for example, heartburn.
Alphabet is a well-formulated complex, but the three times daily supplement schedule is not suitable for everyone.
"Supradin" - this vitamin complex contains a lot of vitamin A, but no iodine. Patients who need just such a trace element should pay attention to this point - they will have to take iodine separately. The complex also contains lemon flavoring and saccharin, so Supradin is not recommended for diabetes and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - it can exacerbate gastritis or peptic ulcer disease. The effervescent "Supradin" is often chosen because of its shape - it is fun and pleasant to drink.
"Daily Formula" - this complex contains all the main vitamins and microelements. It is recommended to take it in case of psychoemotional stress, physical exertion, and also after colds.
Vitrum is another good vitamin preparation for all ages, including pregnant women (look for a few more good multivitamin complexes here).
"Pikovit" - these vitamins are adored by children: they are tasty and healthy. But if you are prone to allergies, it is better to refuse the drug.
"Centrum from A to Zinc" - this vitamin-mineral complex contains almost all vitamins and minerals. But the preparation contains a lot of patentic acid, biotin, vitamins C and E, and some of them are presented in too large a dosage, which is not suitable for everyone.
"Univit" is a whole series of vitamins, in which there is a complex for every family member from 3 years old. You need to take the drug only once a day for a month, which is very convenient.
"Undevit" - the composition of this complex is not the richest, but it is suitable for general strengthening of the body, for example, after colds.
What to look for when choosing vitamins?
I always advise patients and friends to alternate vitamins and take complexes from different companies. Each remedy has its own composition, therefore such a scheme will save you from an overabundance of one vitamin or mineral in the body, or, conversely, will not provoke their deficiency.
In any case, before you start taking any vitamin supplement, you should consult with your doctor and take all the necessary tests.
