A Nutritional Approach to Vitamin Supplement and Herbs Consumption

Many of us feel comfortable taking a quality multi-vitamin supplement daily to support our intake of vital nutrients. But more and more it seems that combined formulations of a vitamin supplement and herbs are appearing on pharmacy and health stores’ shelves. Consumers should be aware of the potential effects of anything they put into their bodies, including the nutritional value of any type of herb that is regularly consumed.

Nearly everyone enjoys cooking with herbs and many individuals today grow their own parsley, basil and other ingredients for addition to their favorite dishes. Cooking with herbs is a great way to add flavor to your meals and in most cases, nutritional benefit, too. Parsley for example can be a significant source of vitamin K and also contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate and iron. Basil is also rich in vitamin K and provides calcium, vitamin C and other minerals to the body as well.

It is important to understand the nutritional value of herbs. Whether herbs are consumed in the foods we eat or ingested as part of a vitamin supplement and herbs combination formula, they are of significance for several reasons:

1. Herbs consumed regularly as part of meals contribute to the RDA of vitamins and minerals. They may reduce the need for supplementation of a variety of nutrients when taken into consideration as part of the diet.
   


2. Mega-doses of some vitamins and minerals are harmful to the body. Toxicity can cause serious health complications and medical conditions. While it is unlikely you will overdose on vitamin K from eating parsley, it is important to realize that just 2 tbsp. can provide 50% of the RDA of this nutrient.
   


3. Herbs can and do interact with both prescription and over-the-counter medications. It is extremely important that your doctor is aware of significant quantities of herbs you may be consuming. Herbs being ingested either as part of your diet, through independent supplementation, or in the form of a vitamin supplement and herbs formula are an important part of your medical history and should not be dismissed as insignificant.

If you are concerned about the addition of herbs to your favorite multi-vitamin supplement, talk to your doctor about the new combination and its potential affects on your health status or nutritional requirements. A nutritionist may also help you understand the role of many herbs on the market today, either in the form of flavor enhancers or health supplements. Look for scientific evidence regarding the nutritional or health benefits of any vitamin supplement and herbs formulation, and take responsibility for what you put into your body by making informed decisions.