Nutrition experts agree: the best way to stock up on vitamins and minerals is by eating a healthy diet. But, if like millions of Canadians, you decide to take a vitamin and mineral supplement, here are some tips:
- Don't waste your money on "natural" vitamins. Your body can't tell the difference between synthetic (man-made) vitamins and “natural" ones, which are obtained from your food. Synthetic vitamins are usually cheaper. The exception to this rule is vitamin E: your body absorbs the natural form better than the synthetic version, although vitamin manufacturers add enough to synthetic vitamin E to make up for the difference (and it's still cheaper). Also remember that generic and other reasonably priced brands are just as good as more expensive ones.
- Read the label to make sure the expiry date hasn't passed. Like foods, supplements should not be used after their expiry dates. Look for a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Health Product (NHP) number, usually on the front label, which shows that the product was approved by Health Canada.
- Don't assume that more is better. In fact, vitamins A and D, iron, zinc, and selenium can be toxic in high doses, while others can have unpleasant or serious side effects. Your safest bet is to look for supplements that provide no more than the recommended daily dose of each nutrient.
- Keep supplements away from children. Those pills may look and taste like candy to a child – but they can be deadly. Iron supplements cause more poisoning deaths in children than any other substance.
- Tell your doctor about all of the vitamins, minerals, and other supplements you're taking. Some vitamins and minerals can interfere with certain medications.
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