Can Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Supplements Give You More Bounce to the Ounce?

From ads in magazines to radio commercials to TV news shows, we're bombarded with information about the "miracles" in various supplements. Vitamin C has become just as common in our kitchen as aspirin. But what about those labels promising to let us lose weight painlessly by just taking one magic pill? Can the "right" supplement really give us endless energy? The answer: maybe.

Let's take vitamin C, for example, since so many of us do. Vitamin C has been shown to be depleted by stress, and in some cases, taking extra vitamin C may be helpful. Caution: too much of this supplement can cause you to spend the entire day rushing to the bathroom!

For those who want to control their weight, omega-3s are possibly helpful, although you should discuss this supplement with your health care provider. Chromium is another supplement that some experts feel might be helpful for weight loss, due to its chromium's impact on blood sugar. Another possibility: carnitine, which might be beneficial for weight loss by helping to transport fats to where they are burned in cells.

Concerned about heart disease and cancer? Talk with your doctor about vitamin E. If your physician approves, most experts recommend taking 400 IU of natural (d-alpha) vitamin E daily.

Most important: don't start randomly taking supplements just because you've read an article or heard on the news that it might be helpful. Remember: every supplement is an option, one that works for some individuals according to a variety of research studies. But what's right for each individual differs. In addition, before
changing your diet, including supplements, it may be helpful to discuss the changes with your personal health professional. He or she will be able to evaluate any possible interactions between health conditions, such as diabetes, and the supplements and/or dietary changes that are under consideration.

The mixture of the wrong supplements can be just as detrimental to your health as taking an overdose or mixing prescription medications. In addition to interacting with each other, herbal supplements can interact with prescription medications, making for a risky combination of side effects. That's one reason why it's important to consult your doctor about suitable combinations or options for you.