Video Transcript
Welcome to “A Virtual Q&A with Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacists and Registered Dietitians!” Join our pharmacists and registered dietitians as they answer your questions on various health and medication topics.
Will taking a vitamin and mineral supplement prevent me from getting a cold?
While there are certain vitamins and minerals that have been found to play a role in supporting a healthy immune system, taking a vitamin or a mineral supplement is not guaranteed to prevent you from getting sick. That being said, vitamin and mineral supplements can absolutely be a beneficial tool in certain circumstances for supporting an individual's vitamin and mineral needs. However, vitamin and mineral supplements often can’t fully replace the nutritional value of whole foods and how the nutrients in those foods interact with each other, which is why I always encourage a food-first approach with my clients, if that option is possible. The average person can typically meet their vitamin and mineral needs by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. In fact, certain vitamins are water soluble, and can actually get flushed from our system through our urine, when consumed in more than adequate quantities. If you think you are deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral, talk to your doctor or dietitian first, before supplementing. If you'd like to learn more about how nutrition can help support your immune system, check out our blog on the Shoppers Drug Mart website called “How can you help protect your immune system with food?”
Whether you have questions about your prescription medications, over-the-counter products, immunizations, or other health concerns, our pharmacists and registered dietitians are here to help.
The information provided is for personal use, reference and education only and is not intended to be a substitute for a physician’s advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional for specific information on personal health matters.
The information included in this recording is correct as of September 24th, 2021