A combination of “vital” and “minerals,” vitamins maintain biochemical bodily functions such as hormone, antioxidants, night vision and cell regulation. More well-known vitamins, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin K, act correctly because people eat them on a daily basis to maintain their health. However, some people take supplements as a major source of vitamins in order to maintain a healthy diet.

For more obscure nutrients such as Selenium or Molybdenum, people tend to want to take different supplements to make sure they have the right amount of vitamins. However, what people don’t realize is that all of these vitamins people seek in supplements are within arm’s reach at the grocery store instead of at the pharmacy. Folic Acid, a vitamin used in prenatal care, is often distributed through folic acid supplements. This vitamin, however, can also be found in many other foods and products, such as certain cereals, fruits and vegetables such as beans. Supplements are obsolete because the vitamins they contain can easily be found at a nearby grocery store with a bit of online research.

Generally, supplements are safe. However, some cases have shown certain supplements found at the drug counter to be deadly. While people easily get rid of certain vitamins in excess, the body can only handle a limited amount of other vitamins, and an overdose can be extremely harmful. A common misconception is that supplements are safe because they are a “natural” product. However, supplements can cause a toxic build up. Ironically, an overdose of vitamins can cause things like permanent nerve damage, birth defects and possibly fatal poisoning. It becomes extremely important to be careful and not have an overdose with your simple Centrium or even the possible Gummyvites. In general, it is better for one to consume his vitamins and maintain his diet with real food.

The idea is not to avoid supplements as a source of vitamins, but to embrace it as a crutch; not to overdose yourself, but supplement with moderation and caution. Supplements are supposed to be a back-up source in a time of weakness. Simply follow the old adage to “eat your veggies.”