Vitamins and Supplements: How to Choose Wisely
Scientists don’t know whether a daily multivitamin staves off disease, but many people take them to maintain or boost their health. Others take just one vitamin or mineral, like iron, to fill in a gap in their diets.
Before you add a supplement or vitamin to your routine, go over these questions with your doctor, pharmacist, or registered dietitian:
- Can this supplement help me? Do I need it for a medical condition or to prevent disease?
- What does the research say about its benefits?
- How much would I take?
- When and for how long do I need it?
- Should I take it as a pill, powder, or liquid?
- Which form of the vitamin (vitamin D2 or D3, for instance) is the best?
- Are there any side effects?
- What are the best brands of this supplement in terms of quality, safety, and how well they work?
- Can I take it along with my other medications? Should I avoid any foods?
- Will I need to stop taking it if I have to have surgery?
