Vitamins

Do you need a vitamin supplement?

Most healthy people who eat a varied diet get enough of most vitamins from food. Supplements make the most sense when a blood test shows a deficiency, or when your needs are higher, for example:

• Vitamin D: low levels are common in South Asia, including Bangladesh, especially among people who spend most of the day indoors or keep their skin covered.
• Vitamin B12: vegetarians, older adults and people taking metformin or long-term acid-reducing medicines are more likely to run low.
• Folic acid: recommended for women who may become pregnant, starting before conception.
• Older adults and people with limited diets may benefit from a general multivitamin.

Multivitamin or single vitamins?

A multivitamin is a convenient safety net for small gaps in your diet. If your doctor has found a specific deficiency, a single vitamin at the right dose, such as vitamin D, B12 or iron, usually works better than a general formula with small amounts of everything.

Reading a vitamin label

• Compare the amount per serving with the daily value (%DV). More is not better: vitamins A, D and E and the mineral iron can build up and cause harm at high doses.
• Vitamin D is listed in IU or micrograms (40 IU = 1 mcg).
• Choose brands with third-party testing, such as USP Verified or NSF.

Vitamin supplements in Bangladesh: buying and storing

Many people in Bangladesh order vitamins from Amazon for access to particular brands and doses. Not every bottle is eligible for international shipping; the listing says so once Bangladesh is selected as the delivery country. Store vitamins in a cool, dry place out of direct sun, because heat and humidity shorten their shelf life, and check expiry dates on arrival. If you take regular medicines, are pregnant or have a long-term condition, ask your doctor before starting a new supplement.