A doctor on TikTok has revealed the one popular health supplement he will never take, and he's got good reason for it.
We all try our best to be that little bit healthier, but there's so much conflicting information out there, as some of us will just chuck down a multivitamin to try and balance out all the other bad choices we might be making.
Whether that's eating the wrong things for breakfast or getting blackout drunk on a Friday night, as much as we love it to, there are some things a multivitamin can't fix.
Dr A has given his advice on health supplements (dra_says)
But according to Dr A - a GP based in the UK who shares advice to his TikTok followers - multivitamins aren't even worth taking.
Dr A starts off by explaining supplements like Shilajit, Ashwagandha and Lion's Mane, which have increased in popularity over the last few years, have their place.
One thing that does not get the Dr's seal of approval, however, is the good old multivitamin. Whether you take yours in pill form or cherry-flavoured chews, you might be better off saving that five quid and going without.
After explaining that the aforementioned Shilijat and co can be 'very effective', Dr A explained: "But this one supplement that lots of people still take despite studies showing it can increase your mortality rate and this is any multivitamin supplement."
It's best to get your vitamins from a balanced diet (Getty Stock Images)
He went on to add: "You know the thing with these multivitamins is, if you look at the back, they often have more than 100 percent of the recommended daily allowances for all vitamins and minerals which can be dangerous, in particular, things like Vitamin A and Vitamin K."
According to the NHS website, the amount of vitamin A adults need is as follows:
"The amount of vitamin A adults aged 19 to 64 need is:
- 700 µg a day for men
- 600 µg a day for women
You should be able to get all the vitamin A you need from your diet.
Any vitamin A your body does not need immediately is stored for future use. This means you do not need it every day."
When it comes to Vitamin K: "Adults need approximately 1 microgram a day of vitamin K for each kilogram of their body weight."
The NHS also explains that 'there's not enough evidence to know what the effects might be of taking high doses of vitamin K supplements each day.'
However, Dr A says: "Having 100 percent of these vitamins and minerals is not needed, and for things like vitamin A and vitamin K, which are fat soluble, it can be quite dangerous and potentially in the long term, leading to liver failure, bone problems, even bleeding and blood clot disorders."
That doesn't sound fun.
When it comes to vitamins, it's advised we get what we need from a balanced diet and Dr A resolves that it's best taking vitamins for specific needs, rather than a one size fits all.
Do your research or seek advice from a medical profession to find out what works best for you.
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