Vitamins, Minerals, Supporting Supplements

The Importance of Supplements and Medical Supervision

I frequently hear the following questions from my patients: "Doctor, can I use this medicine?", "Is it okay if I take this supplement?" Citicoline is one of the most frequently asked supplements. Citicoline is one of the essential substances the brain uses. However, when you eat one egg a day, it is possible to meet your entire citicoline needs naturally.

Another commonly asked supplement is collagen. Collagen is readily produced by the body until the ages of 30-40. Its deficiency usually appears in older ages or in cases of severe nutritional deficiencies. A portion of fish, a piece of meat, or a meal prepared with bone broth is often sufficient to meet daily collagen needs.

Third on the list are multivitamin complexes, which are claimed to contain 30-40 types of vitamins. However, the main problem here is that the person does not know what they need. Is there a deficiency in vitamin A, B group, vitamin C, or a mineral? It is not always meaningful to combine them all in small amounts in the same capsule. When the need is determined by a physician, the necessary vitamin or mineral can be easily administered alone or in dual combinations.

Some supplements are used with the expectation of a calming, sedative effect. However, when looking at lifestyle correctly; individuals who eat a balanced diet, consume enough fruits and vegetables, and maintain healthy family and social relationships often do not need such preparations. Rather than suppressing inner enthusiasm with medications, reviewing one's lifestyle is a much more lasting solution.

As a physician, I can clearly state this: Up to the age of 50-60, unless there is a serious nutritional problem, cachexia, or a specific disease; I do not recommend taking and using supportive treatments individually from the pharmacy. Whether supplements are necessary should be determined through blood tests, routine examinations, physical examination, and detailed anamnesis. What the person eats, what they drink, and how their daily meals are are very important in this evaluation.

In older individuals who cannot be adequately nourished and do not receive enough protein and vitamins, supportive therapies may of course be necessary. However, this decision must be made by a physician. Taking supplements randomly is both unnecessary and risky.

Moreover, most of these products are quite expensive. An individual using four different preparations will face a significant monthly cost. Allocating the same budget to properly selected foods; opting for grains, vegetables, and home-cooked meals is a much more sustainable and beneficial approach. Even a simple tarhana soup, when prepared correctly, can be a powerful support.

Excessive amounts of supplements are also harmful. Excess vitamin A can lead to bleeding, and high levels of vitamin C or B12 can cause toxic effects. Therefore, if there is a dietary pattern where 30-40 types of natural foods are consumed regularly in small amounts over a week, additional support is unnecessary for most people.

Some people complain about the chemical content of foods while not questioning how the capsules and tablets they use are produced. However, the packaging, capsules, and ingredients of these products can also contain various chemicals.

Therefore, building a strong relationship with your doctor is very valuable. Especially family physicians are your most important health advisors who can perform your tests, know you, and evaluate your real needs. It is a much more correct approach to manage this process with your family physician rather than unnecessarily occupying hospitals to ask about vitamins.

Family medicine is an important system that addresses a person's health holistically, preventing unnecessary tests and referrals. Therefore, strengthening your relationship with your family physician for a healthy life is often the most appropriate step to take.