Vitamin supplements and COVID 19 : Does body need vitamin supplements?

Vitamin supplements are needed for a healthy body. Deficiency of any of the vitamins will lead to a decrease in immune function. So can you get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a balanced diet, or should you be topping up?

- Dr Sanjay Agrawal

We all need vitamins and minerals for a healthy body. Some of them we can store, but some of them need to be eaten daily. So can you get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a balanced diet, or should you be topping up?

The array of vitamins our bodies need to function at top capacity is dizzying – and that’s before we get started on minerals like iron. Broadly speaking, they’re divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins.

Your bodies can store supplies of fat-soluble vitamins in your fatty tissues and liver, calling them up and using them when it needs. That means you don’t need a daily supply in your diet. Fat-soluble vitamins – A, D, E and K – are largely found in liver and fatty foods such as oily fish, egg yolks, fortified spreads and dairy products.

Vitamin A

Your body can also make from beta carotene, found in vegetables such as carrots, peppers, spinach and yellow fruits. Getting enough vitamin A is important for a strong immune system, as well as good eyesight.

However, if you have too much, your bones may become more brittle and prone to breaking if you fall. Too much vitamin A when you’re pregnant can result in birth defects. You don’t need supplements if you have a reasonable diet, and you should avoid eating any fish liver oil, liver or liver pate if you’re pregnant, or too much.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting, helping you to stop bleeding when you cut yourself. Along with vegetable oils, a huge array of foods including broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts and curly kale contain vitamin K. You shouldn’t need to take a supplement.