I’m fit and healthy. Do I really need to take multivitamins?

MANILA, Philippines – A lot of Filipinos take their health for granted. They forego balanced diets in favor of high-fat and sugary meals, sleep way past their bedtime thanks to Netflix, and skip much-needed exercise out of sheer laziness. 

But on the bright side, younger Filipinos are now more health-conscious than ever, particularly in this age of fitness goals on social media. 

Do you think you lead a relatively healthier lifestyle than the regular Filipino? Just keep in mind that getting into fitness trends may also mean that you’re losing out on essential vitamins and nutrients. For instance, certain diets cause hormonal imbalances.

If you want to stay fit without losing the nutrients your body needs, you might need to add vitamin supplements to your routine. 

Vegans and vegetarians

Foregoing meat and other animal products can be good for your body in several ways. But you still need certain vitamins, which a strictly vegan or vegetarian diet may lack. 

Omega fatty acids, for instance, are found mostly in fish and other kinds of seafood. But you can’t scrap this from your diet – it keeps your heart healthy and may significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks. Vitamin B12, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, is also found almost exclusively in animal products, such as meat, poultry, and milk. 

So for those avoiding animal products, make sure you’re getting enough Omega fatty acids and Vitamin B with supplements.

Those on a diet

Gunning to reach a certain weight? While intermittent fasting and ketogenic diets are some of today’s most popular fitness trends, you need to be wary as you could be losing out on nutrients in the process.

Did you know that fasting or skipping out on carbs can mess with your body’s electrolyte balance? Electrolytes are minerals that maintain key cellular and organ functions. They aid muscle and nerve functions. Electrolyte sources include sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Unfortunately, fasting or skipping out on carbs may mess with your body’s electrolyte balance. 

You could increase your intake of vegetables and fruits such as lettuce, olives, banana, spinach, and kale; and fish such as sardines and halibut. However, you still need to make sure you’re getting enough of the recommended intake with supplements.

A caveat

Getting into fitness doesn’t just mean reaching an ideal weight, or only eating organic food. It also means making sure that you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs.

If you belong to any of the groups above, remember that multivitamins are supposed to be an add-on, not a cure-all. They won’t single-handedly make you strong and healthy. 

Enervon Activ contains vitamins and minerals to power you through the day. But you still need to complement them with a balanced diet and enough exercise and sleep. And as always, make sure to consult your doctor before taking any vitamins! 

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. – Rappler.com

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