Do I need to take vitamin and mineral pills?

The best way to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs is from the food you eat. Most people don’t need to take additional vitamin and mineral supplements. You should never take extra vitamins and minerals without talking to your doctor first. However, your doctor may suggest taking extra vitamins or minerals if you have certain health problems. You also may need more vitamins and minerals at certain times in your life, such as the following:

• If you are a woman and are trying to get pregnant, your doctor will likely suggest you take a pill that contains folic acid. Women who don’t get enough folic acid during pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with neural tube defects (serious problems of the brain or spinal cord). It’s important to take folic acid before becoming pregnant because these problems develop very early in pregnancy.
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor may suggest that you take a prenatal mineral and vitamin pill that includes iron to protect you against anemia, calcium to keep your bones strong and folic acid.
• If you’re a woman and are at risk of osteoporosis, your doctor may suggest that you take a calcium supplement to support the health of your bones.
• If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet (a diet that limits the animal products you eat), your doctor may suggest that you take a vitamin B12 supplement.

Source: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/863.printerview.html

More Information: www.trustedprescriptionsonline.com