Beyond the Bedside: Essential vitamins for Primary Prevention
By: Lori Blanchard Eaton, NP-C During patient consultations, I often address questions about vitamins and supplements. Vitamins and minerals provide the body with essential nutrients necessary for its normal functions. For the majority of individuals, a balanced diet can supply all the required vitamins and minerals. Yet, the prevalence of convenient, fast-food options in the American diet often leads to a deficiency in essential nutrients. It's important to note that supplements are not subject to FDA approval, meaning they do not undergo the rigorous safety and efficacy testing that most pharmaceuticals do. Despite this, there are cases where supplements might be necessary, such as in cases of known nutrient deficiencies due to age or financial constraints, intestinal malabsorption issues, thyroid disorders, post-operative recovery, etc. In this...