Vitamins and herbs can be two different things, although many herbs can be a rich source of certain types of vitamins.
Herbs grow naturally, usually in soil, while vitamins are made from natural or synthetic materials that are processed into supplements.
Choosing the right vitamin and herb supplement is entirely contingent upon your goals.
If you are deficient in any vitamin, you may or may not be able to find a herb that is suitable for your needs.
Although herbs are natural substances, they can become dangerous if they are taken in too high a dosage or consumed with other drugs or herbs that may cause a serious interaction.
If you want to take a certain type of herb you might want to consult with your pharmacist, doctor, or another expert, especially if you are prescribed any medications.
Supplementation is pointless if you don’t have a well-designed workout plan to pair it with. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.
Are Herbs Safe to Take as Vitamin Supplements?
Some herbs, like basil and oregano, are frequently found in foods, perfumes and beauty products because they are extremely safe. There are some herbs that can be used to treat disorders like infertility as well as herbs that are utilized to increase the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals.
Taking an herb with a vitamin supplement might be preferred if you are a strict vegetarian as many vitamins are derived from animal sources in the diet. Before you start to take any kind of herb and vitamin supplement, you will want to research it thoroughly.
The Mayo Clinic thoroughly explains how herbs and other dietary supplements are required to manufacture and label their products. Just because an herb is sold at a health food store doesn’t necessarily mean that it is safe to be taken by everyone.
Herbal supplements are not regulated or approved by the FDA. The FDA only monitors reports of side effects from taking various kinds of supplements.
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Do All Supplements Combine Vitamins and Herbs?
Supplement manufacturers are always trying to find new products to market to the public. Many basic herbs have been compounded with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in order to increase potency, extend shelf life, and improve their health benefits.
Health supplements can contain single ingredients like protein or potassium, or they can include dozens of nutrients. Dried herbs can be pulverized into a powder and then sealed into gelcaps.
Most traditional supplements sold as vitamins only contain the main ingredient listed on the bottle. Complexes, blends, and even extracts can be liquid or oil-based and infused with beneficial herbs.
Ultimately, the best way to find out what each individual supplement contains is to read the list of ingredients. Then research any ingredient names that you don’t immediately recognize.
Can You Take Vitamin and Herb Supplements If You Are on Medication?
Medications are almost never prescribed unless there is an immediate health need. Medications can be used to cure diseases, treat symptoms, or alleviate the side effects caused by other drugs.
The users of some medications have to take extreme precautions such as staying out of direct sunlight. The likelihood of drug interaction can be increased greatly by the consumption of some vitamin and herb supplements.
You should look at your prescription bottles to see if there are any herbs that you need to avoid taking. Remember that scientists have not been able to test prescription medications with every herb on the planet. There is a possibility of drug interaction even if you take an herb that has been cleared by your doctor.
Is It Okay to Take Herb and Vitamin Supplements Separately?
If you have found that a particular herb helps to increase the effectiveness of a vitamin, you might be able to take each component individually. However, the same precautions apply. You will need to be certain that there is a low risk of possible drug interaction before you start to take vitamin and herb supplements that are not combined in the same bottle.
If you have previously taken an herb and vitamin supplement and only want to take one of the main ingredients, you will most likely be able to do so safely. As long as you have no known medical conditions, you can take a vitamin or herb supplement by itself.
Even if the herbs that you take are safe, you may still experience some side effects. Give your body enough time to adjust to the changes before deciding if you can continue to take these kinds of supplements.
Of course, no supplement routine is complete without being paired with a solid exercise routine. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.