Myth 3: Vitamin C prevents colds
Wendy said: “Vitamin C is often sold as an immune booster, but this requires further explanation. Research suggests taking vitamin C supplements alone may not stop people from catching a cold. However, it may slightly reduce the duration or severity of symptoms in some cases.
“Many people mistakenly believe large doses will fight off illness, despite little evidence that mega-doses offer additional benefit. High doses (more than 1000mg per day) can also cause stomach cramps, diarrhoea and increase the risk of kidney stones in some people.”
Myth 4: Natural supplements are always safe
Wendy said: “This is by no means always the case. A supplement being sold over-the-counter does not automatically mean it is risk-free. Vitamins and herbal products can still interact with medications or cause side effects.
“Vitamin K can interfere with blood thinners such as Warfarin. Calcium and iron can reduce absorption of some antibiotics and thyroid medication And Vitamin E can increase the bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants.
“We would advise speaking to your pharmacist or wider healthcare professional before combining supplements with prescription medicines.”
Myth 5: Everyone should take multivitamins
Experts say many healthy adults may not need supplements at all if they already eat a balanced diet. However, there are important exceptions. In the UK, the NHS recommends vitamin D supplements during autumn and winter for many people because sunlight exposure is limited. Certain groups — including pregnant women, vegans and older adults - may also benefit from specific supplementation.
The key message from experts is that supplementation should be targeted and evidence-based, rather than taken “just in case”.
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