In 2012, the CDC Nutrition Report found that nine out of ten Americans aren’t getting the proper nutrition from their diet. Whether you have allergies or eat a vegan or keto diet, chances are that you’re lacking some important vitamins and minerals. This is why supplements are essential for our health. They keep our bones strong, allow our bodies to produce red blood cells, and prevent disease and illness. Sadly, most of us don’t get enough of these essential nutrients from our diet alone. That’s why vitamin patches and supplements are so important. They bridge the gaps in our diet and allow us to live happy, healthy, and active lives.

However, there are some things you should know before you start using vitamin supplements. 

This information will help you to find out which supplements are best for you and how you should take them safely.

Drug interferences

Some supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of your medication and likewise, medications can affect the absorption of supplements. This can have huge consequences on your health and can be very dangerous. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter medication, it is necessary to consult with your doctor and pharmacist before starting any supplements.

For example, if you are taking an acid reducer or proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux, it can affect the absorption of vitamin b12, leading to deficiencies. This can interfere with red blood cell production and cause anemia. On the opposite end of things, taking some supplements, like charcoal or calcium can prevent vital medications from being absorbed in the digestive tract. This means that your medication is passed through your urine instead of being absorbed through your stomach and into your bloodstream. This can be dangerous with life-saving medications.

To avoid any serious deficiencies, take the extra step to see your doctor and assess your risks. This precaution could protect your health or even save your life. Also, when you have your prescriptions filled, discuss your supplements with your pharmacist. A pharmacist is more familiar with how drugs interact and may catch any problems your doctor may not be aware of.

You can have too much of a good thing

Did you know that you can take too much of some vitamins? In fact, taking large amounts of some vitamin patches and supplements could be very dangerous. This increases your health risks and can cause serious health problems that can easily be prevented. A great example of this is Vitamin D3. D3, commonly called the sun vitamin, are necessary for bone and muscle health. It is also necessary for the absorption of many other vitamins and minerals, such as calcium. However, you can overdose on vitamin D and develop a build-up of calcium in your blood, which is incredibly dangerous and can even be fatal in some cases.

It is important to know your vitamin and mineral levels as well as your dietary requirements and how much of each vitamin you ingest daily in order to determine the maximum dose of a supplement that you should take. Medications can also result in higher or lower levels of certain vitamins regardless of a balanced diet. Once again, the best way to prevent this is to see your doctor. A basic blood test can easily determine which vitamins you need and which you do not. Your doctor is invested in your overall health and will be glad to discuss which supplements would be right for you.

Supplements should be individualized

Everyone’s dietary and nutritional needs are different, and your vitamin supplements should be as well. There is no specific one size fits all when it comes to vitamins and minerals. Although a multivitamin typically won’t contain unsafe levels of vitamins, if you are taking vitamins you don’t need, you are throwing your money down the toilet, literally. Any excess of most vitamins typically passes into the kidneys and straight through the urine, meaning they are completely useless.

Instead of guessing which supplements you need, you should base your needs on gaps in your diet and your bloodwork. Work with your doctor to determine which supplements will work best for you and will help you reach your personal health goals. This will help you to create a supplement plan and will help you prevent wasting money on unnecessary vitamins and supplements that aren’t helping. It will also help you to feel your best and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Your gut and supplements

Some vitamins or minerals, such as iron, can cause stomach upset while others simply can’t absorb through the stomach due to medications or other medical conditions. As a result, your supplements may not be effective or you may be tempted to stop using them altogether. This can have negative impacts on your health and result in severe deficiencies, including anemia. The good news is that there are alternative methods of vitamin delivery that can help you bypass these problems in your gut.

Your skin is another safe way to deliver vitamins into your bloodstream and works for all individuals, including those who can’t swallow pills or have sensitive stomachs. One great alternative delivery system is through a patch applied directly to the skin. As seen on Patchmd.com, patches are a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. Unlike topical sprays, which give a short-term vitamin boost, patches slowly release supplements into your bloodstream throughout the day. This mimics how oral supplements dissolve slowly in the stomach and ensures a steady dose of those necessary ingredients. This keeps your vitamin levels steady throughout the day, helping you feel your best.

Improve your health

These steps should improve your health and prevent any unnecessary complications and drug interactions. It will also help you save money and live the best life that is possible for you Remember, your doctor is your health partner. His or her knowledge and guidance is an important resource that you should take advantage of when taking supplements.

Before your next visit, think about your health goals and write down a list of your medications and any supplements you are considering. He or she will be able to help you make informed decisions about which supplements are right for you.