VITAMINS

Prevention is better than cure. In pursuit of the initial sentence we all take the shortest route to prevention. One of them being the general belief that taking vitamin supplement is good for health. The evidence to say that vitamins taken as supplement by healthy person is beneficial is lacking. Inspite of this many doctors, many websites, blogs recommend taking vitamin supplements. Here I make an effort to throw some light on this issue.
First as the Google motto goes 'Do no Evil'.
Vitamins are classified as water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins need to be replenshied regularly and an average healthy diet contains enough vitamins. Taking these water soluble vitamins, which are Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C causes no major adverse effect because they are excreted in the urine as they are water soluble. One exception is an vitamin called pyridoxine which taken in greater quantity can cause toxicity.
All fat soluble vitamins which include A, D, E, K , when taken in excess can cause toxicity.
So please be careful regarding what kind of vitamin supplements u are taking.
First let me discuss the water soluble vitamins.

1. Folic acid-folic acid supplementation is associated with a substantially reduced risk of neural-tube defects if it is taken by females before pregnancy and during pregnancy. Higher intake of folic acid is associated with a lower risk of colon cancer and breast cancer particularly among persons who are at increased risk because of daily alcohol consumption. The optimal folic acid intake remains uncertain. An intake of 400 µg per day minimizes blood homocysteine levels in most people, but more may be needed to reduce the risk of cancer. Although an intake of 400 µg of folate per day may be achieved by eating natural foods, the average American intake from these sources is about 200 µg per day. Since 1998, the food-fortification program in the United States has been adding about 100 µg per day. Thus, most people in this country still consume less than 400 µg
   per day, and users of multivitamins still have lower homocysteine levels than nonusers.
2. Vitamin B6 - no independent benefit, needs to be taken with folic acid.
3. Vitamin B12- Supplementation required in elderly and alcoholics.
4. vitamin C- supplementation not required for healthy individuals.
5. vitamin A-not required by healthy persons
6. Vitamin D-not required by healthy persons
7. Vitamin E - no benefit found in various studies conducted. Infact one study has found it to be detrimental

So before taking vitamin supplements , find out whether u really need them and if no benefit atleast u should not be harmed.

Dont follow the crowd, create ur own fad.