Vitamins are available in different shapes and sizes nowadays – some chewy, fruity, and others that are made available in large bottles which can almost last a whole year.
While some people reserve bottles of their preferred vitamins, others choose not to consume them because they believe doing so will make them hungry.
Do vitamins really cause weight gain? In a word, no. Due to their low-calorie content, eating them won’t necessarily make you gain weight.
Vitamin deficiencies, on the other hand, can have a negative impact on weight.
When compared to a comparable group of women who consumed a healthy amount of vitamin D in their diet, it was discovered that women with vitamin D deficiencies were more likely to gain weight.
However, once they have made up for the nutritional deficiency, people with vitamin B12 deficiencies may also find that they are gaining weight.
That’s because a lack of vitamin B12 can cause a loss of appetite, according to an expert.
After levels return to normal, appetite returns and possibly a few pounds as well.
In both scenarios, vitamin supplements help your body return to its normal state of health.
According to a health publishing journal, nearly all the nutrients you need should be provided by a healthy diet.
But most people don’t consume the healthiest of diets. That’s where a multivitamin comes in to help fill in the gaps, and it might also add more health benefits.
It is also advisable to keep within the recommended dosage to prevent any unwanted benefits in your body.
Vitamin B supplements assist in filling your vitamin B deficiencies and play a great role in your body, mainly when it comes to maintaining nerve health.
While there are at least eight different types of vitamin B, three are particularly important for maintaining a healthy nervous system:
- B6 (pyridoxine) facilitates the creation of red blood cells, neurotransmitters, and the absorption of amino acids.
- B1 (Thiamine) helps convert nutrients into energy and is also essential for muscle contraction and the conduction of nerve signals.
- B12 (Cobalamin) helps in maintaining healthy nerve cells and in creating blood cells in the body.
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Vitamins And Metabolism
There is a greater likelihood that your body will have all the nutrients it needs to function properly if you consume vitamins.
This may affect your weight due to its effect on your metabolism, which is supported by a vast variety of nutrients.
Most importantly, your metabolism controls the rate at which your body expends kilojoules, and a healthy metabolism is essential for weight control.
Your nutritional intake may also influence your appetite and, consequently, your food consumption. For instance, low vitamin B6 levels are connected with a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain, which may result in an increase in appetite.
On the other hand, some individuals may blame vitamins for weight gain or failure to lose weight because they disregard their general lifestyle.
This is especially true for individuals who supplement their diet with vitamins.
If you are taking multivitamins because you are not eating healthily, are inactive, or are on a restrictive diet, it is possible that these linked behaviors, not the vitamins, are responsible for weight gain.
You can locate the ideal multivitamin, but remember that pills should not substitute a healthy lifestyle.
Multivitamins And Weight Gain
According to research published in the journal of nutrition, vitamins may help men lose weight.
Men who used vitamins and nutritional supplements on a regular basis had lower body weight, fat mass, and body mass index than men who did not take vitamins.
According to the findings of the same study, women using vitamins also noticed decreased hunger levels.
A dose of these supplements dramatically reduced appetite ratings in women who had lost weight, compared to a group that had likewise lost weight.
According to experts, vitamins and minerals are both involved in the manufacturing of hunger-regulating hormones such as leptin, cortisol, and insulin.
Lifestyle Repercussions
The implications of this study are applicable to both men and women who are attempting to manage their weight. Think about the following:
- If your objective is to decrease body fat or maintain a healthy level of body fat, taking a vitamin and mineral supplement on a daily basis may assist you in achieving your goal.
- If you have already lost weight, a multivitamin and mineral pill may help suppress your appetite, hence preventing future weight gain.
- Consume a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, lean protein sources, and whole grains. Do not rely on a multivitamin to provide all the nutrients your body needs or use it as an excuse to consume bad foods.
- Multivitamins are not a replacement for regular exercise. Exercise is a very crucial component of any weight loss plan.
Conclusion
So, if vitamins are not the cause of weight gain, then what is it?
Numerous studies indicate that stress is a major factor. Each time we experience stress, cortisol levels rise, and the stress hormone raises glucose levels in the bloodstream to help us cope with the stressor.
Unfortunately, many people suffer from chronic stress, which causes their cortisol levels to remain elevated for extended periods.
A 2017 study published in a scientific journal reveals that high-stress lives contribute to weight gain.
And examining cortisol levels in hair, an indicator of long-term cortisol levels, the study discovered a favorable link between chronic stress and obesity.
When stressed, people tend to crave high-energy or “comfort” meals; therefore, it is essential to exercise mindfulness and learn how to de-stress when necessary.
Try meditation, yoga, and exercise, and be sure to consume nutrient-dense foods.
