In a world where the search for well-being and holistic health drives more and more people, dietary supplements have found an integral part of our everyday lives. But behind the brilliant promise of colorful pills and powders is a complex truth, which is often overlooked. Before you pick up a supplement next time in the hope of doing something good for your body, ask yourself the question: Do you really know what your body needs?
The following article gives a closer look at why a critical examination of taking supplements is essential, and how a customized analysis of your vitamin balance can not only protect your health but also improve it. Dive into the exciting world of dietary supplements with us and discover how you can take your health to the next level with knowledge but also a certain degree of caution.
There is a strong temptation to see supplements as a panacea for health and wellness goals. But taking supplements blindly without a deep understanding of what the body really needs can risky be. It is a common misconception that more of good substances, such as vitamins, is automatically better. In fact, when taken in excess, certain vitamins can have the opposite effect.
Yes, there are actually vitamins that can harm the body if consumed in too high amounts. This phenomenon is known as hypervitaminosis referred to.
Vitamins are generally divided into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins Excess amounts (such as vitamin C and B vitamins) are usually excreted in the urine, which is why an overdose is less common. fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), on the other hand, can build up in body fat and lead to health problems if overdosed.
But it is not just fat-soluble vitamins that can be problematic for overall health. You should also take vitamin B vitamins with caution, because the overdose of e.g. vitamin B12 may lead to unwanted side effects in some cases.
Many vitamin B12 supplements available on the market contain amounts that far exceed the recommended daily requirement and the suggested limits. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends a maximum of 25 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day from dietary supplements, while the DACH reference value is 4.0 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. However, the doses in the available dietary supplements are often significantly higher. This could pose health concerns, as recent research suggests a link between high levels of vitamin B12 in the blood and an increased risk of lung cancer.
Vitamin B12 promotes the growth of all cells, including potential cancer cells, and could thus accelerate the development of precancerous cells in the body. Although there are no legal limits for vitamin B12 in dietary supplements, nutritionists criticize this: The packaging of these products is similar to that of drugs, which can lead to the misleading assumption that they are just as strictly regulated. Even though no acute poisoning or side effects are known to date, there is a risk of chronic side effects when taking high-dose B12 supplements.
The examples just mentioned underscore the need to think carefully before using supplements, especially when they are marketed as a universal solution to all health problems. The idea that a single multi-supplement can solve all health problems is misleading and dangerous.
It is important that before taking supplements, a precise analysis is carried out to determine which deficiencies exist so that the dosage of the vitamin supplements can be adjusted exactly to these.
Determining your personal requirement for vitamins and minerals starts with a precise diagnosis. A blood analysis can provide information about acute deficiencies, but at this point we would like to emphasize that blood tests are only a snapshot represent. They only reflect the nutrients and pollutants that currently in the bloodstream are what only make up a small part of the big picture. In addition, it is important to understand that the result of a blood test is also strongly influenced by what you have eaten in the days leading up to the examination. Dietary intake may increase or decrease the concentration of certain vitamins and minerals in the blood in the short term, which may interfere with the interpretation of results. It is therefore recommended to discuss dietary habits and any dietary supplements in advance of the analysis in order to increase the accuracy and relevance of the diagnosis.
A combination of blood and hair analysis is often recommended for a more comprehensive analysis. While blood analysis provides short-term information, only hair mineral analysis can provide a meaningful diagnosis of the actual pollutant load or nutrient supply at cell level in the body.
Hair mineral analysis is a powerful tool for gaining deep insight into the body's vitamin and mineral balance. Although a blood analysis is often useful, it only gives us an insight into around 1% of the total pollutant load in the body.
Since 99% of the pollutants are in our cells, we need a more detailed analysis that gives us more detailed information about our vitamin balance.
At Biocannovea, we are very proud to offer one of the most precise hair mineral analyses in Austria, thanks to our partnership with one of the leading laboratories in the USA. Our method not only provides insights into the current status of vital substances, but also identifies long-term stores of vitamins and minerals in the body. This enables targeted and individually tailored supplementation. At our immunoanalysis center in Vienna, we are happy to provide you with comprehensive advice on this topic!
Schedule a free consultation now and become the best version of yourself with us.
Supplementing with supplements should never be a blind decision. Every body is unique, and what works for one may be unnecessary or even harmful to another. A well-founded decision requires a detailed analysis. Only the combination of blood and hair mineral analysis together provides a comprehensive picture of individual pollutant levels and individual nutritional requirements. At Biocannovea, we understand the importance of this detailed diagnosis and help you optimize your health based on sound scientific knowledge.
Are you interested in a supplement consultation and would like to discuss how you can optimally optimize your body? Please contact us! We are looking forward to your message.
