Should I take vitamins? And if so, which ones? Vitamin D in winter?

Hello!

I would like to know why you would like to take vitamins please?

Taking vitamins in general is not usually necessary for most people who eat well. If you eat little during the day or avoid certain foods, a multivitamin may be able to meet some of those dietary needs.

Some vitamins are also needed for specific health problems (e.g. calcium and vitamin D for osteoporosis, multiple vitamins for people who have had surgery on their digestive system, iron for anemia, etc.). If this is not the case for you, again, a vitamin would not be necessary.

Some people want to start vitamins sometimes saying that they "lack energy". However, vitamins have no energy value per se. When a person comes to us with this request, we usually try to explore with them where this lack of energy may come from, and give them solutions other than taking vitamins.

Vitamin D is interesting. This vitamin is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the sun. In North America, because of our winters, we produce less vitamin D during the year than someone living in Cuba for example! Some people like to take vitamin D during the winter to make up for this lack as you mentioned! Is it really worth it? Many professionals would probably give different answers to this question. If you still want to take it during the winter, I don't see any problem with it, because it is not harmful to your health.

I look forward to answering your questions!

Have a great day!

David Maurier, Pharmacist