Reasons For Taking Certain Vitamins, Minerals & Food Supplements

People take certain vitamins, minerals and food supplements for many reasons, including to prevent or treat disease, increase dietary intake of a specific nutrient that may be deficient in the diet and increase bioavailability in situations when you are unable to completely absorb the nutrient from food. Nonetheless, supplements should be secondary to nourishment from eating and drinking nutrient-dense foods and beverages. Consult your doctor about your diet and taking supplements.

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is a vital nutrient you need to make red blood cells and DNA. Vegans or people with absorption problems may need to take vitamin B-12 supplements. Vitamin B-12 is found exclusively in animal products, particularly shellfish, fish, organ meats and dairy. Vegans eat only plant-based foods and may incur a deficiency of vitamin B-12. Older people, particularly over 60 years of age, may absorb less vitamin B-12 than consumed. The recommended daily allowance is 2.4 mcg, although doses of up to 1 mg can be safely taken by mouth or injection without toxic or adverse effects, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Calcium

The mineral calcium produces and maintains healthy bones. A calcium deficiency is a risk factor for osteoporosis, a condition characterized by bone loss and risk of fractures. The biggest risk factors for osteoporosis include being female and postmenopausal, older adults, people with small body size, a diet low in calcium and a sedentary lifestyle. Physicians often prescribe calcium supplements to prevent or reduce your risk of osteoporosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 1,000 mg of calcium daily for adults aged 19 to 50 and 1,200 mg for adults 51 years and older.

Fish Oil

Fish oil is concentrated with long-chain omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaneoic acid and docosahexaneoic acid. People use fish oil for a long range of diseases and conditions, most commonly to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. Research at the University of Grenoble in La Tronche, France and published in the "Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology" in November 2009 reports that large controlled trials have demonstrated intake of fish oil from dietary sources or fish oil supplements may suppress abnormal heart rhythms, reduce blood pressure, prevent buildup of plaque inside the arteries and lower fatalities from both cardiovascular disease and all other causes of death.

Soy Isoflavones

Soybeans contain high concentrations of isoflavones, a class of antioxidants called phytoestrogens. Soy isoflavones are available in nutritional supplements. Consuming isoflavones at doses less than 90 mg per day can inhibit bone loss and stimulate bone growth. Taking supplements may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.