survey in germany
About a third of them take vitamins and supplements regularly
About a third of Germans take vitamins from supplements at least once a week. One in six swallows the vitamins each day in the form of tablets, capsules or liquids, the survey showed.
Publication date: 02/22/2022 at 5:44 pm
However, in most cases, this is not necessary, according to experts. With a balanced and varied diet, the body receives almost all vitamins in sufficient quantities. “Anyone who takes high doses of vitamins without being necessary risks oversupply and therefore unwanted health effects,” Andreas Hensel, president of BfR, explained.
A balanced diet is usually sufficient
Vitamins are necessary for most body functions. For example, it strengthens the immune system and promotes the growth of cells, bones and teeth. Since the body cannot produce it or produce it insufficiently, it must be taken with food.
About half of the respondents stated that they often consciously pay attention to an adequate intake of vitamins. Fruit and vegetables are the most important sources of vitamins, followed by fish and legumes. Less than a quarter of those surveyed see supplements as an important source of vitamins.
Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C and vitamin preparations are especially popular
However, about a third say they take vitamins from supplements at least once a week — especially vitamin D, followed by vitamin B12, vitamin C, and multivitamins. Only in certain cases is it explicitly recommended to take vitamins from nutritional supplements, for example folic acid before and during early pregnancy. About a thousand people were surveyed as part of the BfR Consumer Monitoring.
Dietary supplements are not subject to an official approval process in which they must be proven to be harmful to health. In Germany, national regulations for dietary supplements regulate which vitamins can be added to dietary supplements. However, it does not contain any legally binding maximum amounts for added vitamins. (AFP)
More about vitamins and nutritional supplements
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