Partner content: Do You Need Supplements?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Do You Need Supplements?

When we talk about vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements this is a very large category and there’s no simple “yes” or “no” answer to this. Your physician may run tests to determine whether you need supplements.

Some categories of people who should talk to their primary care provider (PCP) about specific supplements are:

• someone who has had gastric or bariatric surgery or are taking medications for treatment of obesity

• individuals with celiac disease

• if you have food allergies which severely restrict what foods you can eat

• women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Related Items

• elite and endurance athletes

• individuals who have a limited ability to eat foods

Many of us can get all the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) we need by eating a varied diet and without taking supplements. If we are able, we should try and get our vitamins and minerals from food first.

Some cautionary notes about supplements:

• Supplements can interact with prescription medications, make sure your PCP knows what supplements you’re taking.

• Supplements are not regulated the same way as prescription medications and may not contain what they claim. Look for supplements with 3rd party verification.

• Supplements can have side effects and taking more of some vitamins, minerals and herbs than you need can affect your health.

For more information see: Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) (nih.gov)

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

Tags:

Macon selects interim county manager

At its October meeting the Macon County Commission...

EDITORIAL: Ode to Asheville, ode to WNC

I ventured down there today: the River Arts Distri...

After multiple rounds of public opposition to prop...

SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM

Contribute >

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Dinner — Something for Everyone?

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you make that will please everyone?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Stories of dining during a disaster

Hurricane Helene was and continues to be a traumatic event for our region, but even within the worst of it, there are stories of resilience and ingenuity in ways that many had to deal with making or getting meals while having no power or water for days.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Ways to (Continue to) Help Western NC

There are many churches and community relief and service organizations that are and will continue to help in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Please make sure you check on what local area churches may be doing or need in terms of donations. Money is often the best thing to donate so they can buy what they need. Volunteer time is also often appreciated.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Post Hurricane

It is difficult to know what to write after a disaster of the magnitude caused by Hurricane Helene. It certainly teaches us the importance of coming together as a community to check on and help our friends and neighbors, and how vital our emergency response teams, first responders, National Guard, churches, shelters for both humans and animals, and relief organizations are in times like this.