Who needs vitamin supplements

Since last week8217;s article on the futility of vitamin supplements for those on balanced diets, Anjali 8211; whose vitamin popping habit was mentioned 8211; has begun to heed my advice. The written word always carries credibility. But then, who really needs vitamin pills, she wants to know.

Sadly, families who know about balanced diet, fail to place the same on their dinner table. The reasons cited are lack of time or fondness for processed foods or eating out frequently. In such families children always fall short of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Adults tend to be deficient in vitamins A and C. In such cases, vitamin and mineral supplements are definitely needed.

In addition, anyone on very low calorie diets must always use vitamin and mineral supplements.

A word of caution: Teenage girls and other crash dieters beware. It is distressing to be consulted by large numbers of patients, young and old alike, after they have damaged their health through reckless dieting. I have also noticed that in keeping with human nature, the more bizarre the diet, the greater its popularity. After all, anything common sense and regular cannot be interesting and popular no matter how it is for you.

Yet another group of individuals likely to fall short of vitamins B12, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin D are the strict vegetarians.

Next week: The special cases