It's generally best to get vitamins (as well as minerals) naturally from food or, in the case of vitamin D, from controlled exposure to the sun. For example, several studies have shown that calcium from foods is safer than that from supplements. The message here is that supplements prescribed by a doctor are useful for people with certain medical problems. Otherwise, it's best to get your vitamins and minerals from food and not from a pill.
As an expert in nutrition and health, I recommend that healthy people get their vitamins and minerals by eating nutrient-rich foods instead of taking dietary supplements. While there are some studies that suggest a relationship between taking supplements and preventing diseases, these are usually only applicable to those with nutritional deficiencies. Dietary supplements are a generic term that includes everything from vitamins and minerals to botanicals and biosimilars. However, there is limited evidence that they offer significant health benefits. It's important to note that dietary supplements are not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and may contain hidden ingredients or drugs that you are not aware of.
That being said, supplements can be beneficial for certain groups of people at risk of suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin D supplements have been linked to numerous benefits related to cancer, bone health and brain function, to name a few. On the other hand, other studies indicate that dietary supplements, including B vitamins, don't improve brain function. In general, taking supplements according to the amounts listed on the package is safe for most people. However, taking high amounts of vitamin B6 for a year or more has been associated with nerve damage that can affect body movements (symptoms usually go away after you stop taking supplements).Synthetic nutrients are dietary supplements manufactured artificially in a laboratory or industrial process.
If you already consume a wide variety of nutrients through your diet, taking additional supplements may exceed the recommended daily intake of many nutrients. Anyone with a condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease should get a doctor's approval before taking a supplement. However, getting all the nutrients you need is sometimes difficult, and supplements can be an easy way to add nutrients to your diet.
