Vitamin supplements are products designed to supplement the daily diet as additional nutrition. Its existence can be an option for individuals who experience nutritional deficiencies or have difficulty meeting nutritional needs through food alone.
However, there is a question that often arises: does intermittently taking vitamin supplements have a different impact on the body compared to taking them regularly?
We will briefly discuss the impact of taking vitamin supplements on a person’s body.
Why Do People Choose Vitamin Supplements?
Before we discuss intermittently taking vitamin supplements, let’s understand why many people choose to take vitamin supplements in their routine. The main reasons include:
1. Nutritional Deficiency
Some individuals may experience deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, or iron. Vitamin supplements can help overcome this deficiency.
2. Environmental Pollution
Exposure to environmental pollution increases oxidative stress in the body which can disrupt health, so vitamins are needed to ward off free radicals.
3. Special Diet
People who follow special diets, such as vegetarians or vegans, may have difficulty meeting certain nutritional needs and choose to take supplements.
4. Age and Health Condition
At certain ages or in the case of certain health conditions, the body may require more additional nutrients.
Take Vitamin Supplements Intermittently
This refers to the practice of taking vitamin supplements in an irregular pattern, such as only a few days of a week or month.
This is different from consistent daily use. The reasons why someone chooses to alternately take vitamin supplements can vary, including possible nutritional advantages and lower cost.
Positive impact
Alternating taking vitamin supplements can have several positive impacts on the body, especially if done wisely and according to individual needs. Here are some of the benefits you may experience:
1. Nutritional Diversification
By taking various vitamin supplements alternately, you can ensure that your body receives a variety of different nutrients over time.
2. Adjustment to Daily Needs
In some situations, such as when you are on holiday or experiencing a change in eating pattern, taking vitamin supplements intermittently can help adjust your nutritional intake to your daily needs.
Negative impact
Although taking regular vitamin supplements can have benefits, there are also negative impacts that you need to consider. The following are some of the negative impacts that may arise:
1. Nutritional Imbalance
Intermittent taking of vitamin supplements can result in nutritional imbalances in the body. For example, if you only take vitamin C on certain days, but not on other days, you may experience fluctuations in your intake of this nutrient.
2. Loss of Constant Benefits
Some vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, which is important for bone health, may provide the best benefits when taken regularly. Consuming it irregularly can actually reduce its effectiveness.
3. Risk of excess nutrition
Intermittent taking of vitamin supplements can also increase the risk of excess nutrition. Apart from that, it could be that other supplements you consume the next day contain the same nutrients, so there is a risk of excess vitamins.
4. Possibility of Forgetting
There is a possibility that you may forget to take supplements on certain days so that you are not consistent in meeting your nutritional needs.
So, taking vitamin supplements intermittently is actually not completely wrong. Can be considered under certain conditions. However, it is best to consume it regularly and consistently if you want to get optimal benefits.