The increasing demand for it to prevent the virus without referring to specialists

Vitamins are flying in the time of "Corona" ... and doctors warn of their dangers

  • Excessive intake of some vitamins may cause high blood pressure, kidney stones and damage to them. Archive

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The Corona pandemic helped increase the demand during the last period to purchase vitamins and nutritional supplements, of all kinds, especially the vitamins that medical reports mentioned that they contribute to raising the body’s immunity to prevent infection with the emerging virus, such as vitamins D and C and others. What made sales of those items soaring during the last period.

On the other hand, doctors warned of the danger of taking vitamins without consulting specialists, stressing that this matter could pose a great danger to the body, especially the kidneys and liver.

The specialist in rheumatology and joints, Dr. Hazem Helmy, told «Emirates Today», that the prevention of diseases and epidemics does not depend on taking vitamins only. There are many factors that can provide protection for humans, such as healthy food, exposure to sunlight and fresh air, including It gives the body enough of the vitamins it needs, and if a person takes additional vitamins and minerals, they will exceed the body's need and cause harm, stressing the importance of adhering to the prescription, as it is necessary to protect against these risks.

Helmy added: “Nutritional compounds boost our immune system and help it function effectively. Therefore, if we get these elements from food, there is no need to consume them through vitamins, on the other hand, taking excessive doses of vitamins can lead to health problems, such as kidney stones, diarrhea, and impaired liver function, ”pointing out that healthy food is also Exercising is one of the best ways to strengthen the human immune system.

Follow the instructions

For her part, the obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Mai Mohamed, said that taking vitamins without referring to the doctor can have a negative impact on health, contrary to what many believe, especially since most people can get their needs of various vitamins by eating a healthy diet. It is characterized by a variety of different types of food, such as vegetables, fruits, protein, starches, and others.

She added, "There are certain groups that must abide not to take any medications or nutritional supplements and vitamins without consulting doctors, such as pregnant women, children and people who suffer from certain diseases. The doctor is able to determine the most appropriate type of vitamins, and the required dose, based on the person's age and the degree of vitamin deficiency." He has, and the period of taking », stressing that the doctor’s instructions must be adhered to in terms of the dose and the period of taking, so that one does not experience health problems.

A remarkable turnout

For her part, the pharmacist, Enas Radwan, confirmed that there is a clear demand for buying and using various vitamins of different nationalities and ages since the beginning of the Corona pandemic, due to people's fear of infection with the virus, and their desire to enhance their body's immunity by taking certain vitamins, foremost of which are « C and D, and some minerals, such as zinc and magnesium.

She indicated the need to educate the public about the importance of relying on natural sources to obtain the vitamins that the body needs, which are available in the types of foods available, especially vegetables and fruits, and in this case the vitamins are healthier, because they are free of chemicals and manufactured compounds.

Radwan also warned of the negative effects of taking vitamins without consulting a doctor, and making sure the body needs them, so as not to cause health risks. ”For example, vitamin D is important for maintaining better bone health and growth, as it helps the body absorb calcium better. "But excessive intake of it can cause high blood pressure, the formation of kidney stones and damage, as well as hardening of the arteries."

numbers

Sales of nutritional supplements increased by 6% during the first week of last March, compared to the same period last year, in conjunction with a remarkable increase in sales of cold and cold remedies, according to the "IRI" company specialized in market research.

The figures indicate that sales of vitamin C, which is a strengthening of the immune system, increased by 16%, while sales of zinc, which is used as a common treatment for colds and respiratory diseases, soared by 225%. Sales of the herb Echinacea, which is often used to reduce the severity of cold and cold symptoms, increased by 122%.

There are no clues

In 2013, the Cruchan Research Foundation conducted a review of studies, and concluded that taking large doses of vitamin C did not affect cold symptoms in adults, either in terms of duration or severity of symptoms. Many experts believe that the goal of manufacturing vitamin C is only to make profits, because most people in developed countries already get enough of it from their diet. Only a small number of people in the world now develop "scurvy" or vitamin C deficiency. Experts say that there is no evidence supporting the benefits of vitamin tablets for healthy people, but sometimes too much of them is harmful.

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