India, the world’s fastest-growing economy, has a population of over 1.25 billion people and is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populous country by 2024, according to the United Nations.
With a growing population, India, as a developing country, faces challenges in ensuring that not only adequate food is available, but that it also meets nutritional standards.
While undernourishment in India has decreased (from 17% in 2008 to 15% in 2016), malnutrition and dietary risks linked to diseases are still widespread worldwide, including in India. In India, nutrition care, which is an important component of preventive healthcare, is undergoing a transformation.
Food alone is no longer able to fully meet the nutritional needs of the body, due to changes in dietary habits, increased awareness as a result of a rapidly growing middle-class population, and changes in consumer preferences when it comes to health.
As a result, using health supplements and nutraceuticals to supplement it has become critical. Vitamin capsules have been a part of our diet since we were children. We have believed that these brightly colored pills give us strength, replenish minerals and vitamins in our bodies, protect us from infections by increasing our immunity and help us recover faster after an illness.
After a viral fever, do you recall your doctor prescribing B-complex? And what about Vitamin C lozenges for a cold? 
However, did you know that a lack of zinc in the body causes frequent sniffles? It’s also important for maintaining a healthy gut, so probiotics should be prescribed after a viral fever to restore the healthy flora in your intestines.
In fact, many of the pills prescribed are placebos with more psychological effects than real ones.
Here are some vitamin pills myths and facts that will surprise you.
Myth: They prevent disease and make up for a good diet.
Reality: Numerous studies on vitamin supplements have concluded that they are harmful to the human body. Though some studies claim that they replenish the body’s mineral and vitamin losses, others disagree. Furthermore, vitamin supplements are meant to supplement your diet rather than replace it.
Myth: Taking too many vitamins is beneficial.
Reality: Too much of anything is bad, and vitamin supplements are no exception. Vitamin overdose can harm vital organs, cause birth defects in children, and even cause nerve damage. Vitamin C overdose can result in diarrhea and cell damage. So be cautious!
Myth: Vitamins should be taken first thing in the morning.
Many vitamins are water-soluble, which means they dissolve in water and can be absorbed by the body at any time of day. Only fat can absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. If you’re taking a multivitamin with vitamins A, D, E, or K, it’s best to take it with a small amount of food that contains some fat.
