So, here’s a topic that always generates debates between patients and their doctors. What is the role of multivitamins in our wellbeing? Do we actually need them?
Doctors have a wonderfully frustrating time (LOL) explaining why you do not need multivitamins with your antimalarial pills or whatever other treatment you are to be given. There is a specific place for them but our pharmaceutical companies have got you convinced that without taking multivitamins, the earth would stop revolving around the sun. 😂
Seriously….
There is a purpose for all the wonderful food that God has provided on this green (plus blue & white 😁) earth. We have all we need around us. But do we take advantage of it? NO!
Multivitamins are indicated when:
- A patient has a mineral or vitamin deficiency
- A patient is anaemic – Anaemia is a state where the blood or more specifically, the individual components of blood, are reduced for several reasons, examples of which are
- Sickle Cell Disease,
- Cancer,
- Bone Disorders,
- Diseases like HIV/AIDS or Covid that reduce immunity,
- Autoimmune diseases (where the body turns on it’s own cells and starts killing them, much like a traitor who betrays his own country as we see in movies)
- Kidney failure
- Prolonged.chronic ailments
- A sick patient is unable to eat adequate quantities of proper food
- A woman is pregnant
- A patient has a digestive system disorder where absorption of food from the intestines is impaired
Asides any of these conditions, you do not need to pop pills. I see a lot of people who would rather swallow multivitamin pills than actually take the extra effort to eat properly. Most times, the body takes what it needs and throws out the rest. Vitamin C is delicious (the yellow kind 😉) but you really don’t need to chew on 10 or more per day. It’s like a snack nowadays.
(this looks so yummy….)
I understand that many of us resort to these pills because our lifestyles do not encourage good nutrition. Truly, healthy dieting is no passive venture. In today’s world, with the advent of fast and overly spiced food and the likes, maintaining a proper diet is hard. This is worsened also by the fast pace at which the world moves. It’s almost like a train with no brakes. You either go with the flow or get run over.
For my brothers and sisters out there who feel that their doctor is short-changing them by refusing to prescribe multivitamins with artemeter derived antimalarials, kindly comply. Antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, E) within multivitamins actually inhibit the efficacy of these artemether derived drugs.
Today, you must choose: pills or food? It’s up to you. No amount of pills can supplant the body’s need for proper nutrition. I know it’s a bit difficult sometimes but you must LIVE DELIBERATELY, the only pathway to a fulfilled life.
(I guess now is the time to start reacquainting yourself and family with vegetables…hehehe…good luck with convincing the kids)
Talk to you again soon. Have a great October ahead!
If you have any comments or contributions on today’s topic, be quick to comment or send me a mail at feedback@healthcare-ng.com I will be glad to read from you and answer all your questions.
Author: Dr. Lola Odubitan, MBBS