Vitamins and supplements may seem like fantastic additions to our diet — nutritional bonuses that require little thought (because the more vitamins, the merrier, right)?
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In reality having too little or too much of certain vitamins in your diet can actually affect your weight loss and even prevent you from losing weight. Dr. Arielle Levitan, co-founder of Vous Vitamin LLC and author of The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear the Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health, says there are actually quite a few vitamins that can influence weight — and one stands out above the rest.
“Iodine for one, helps support the thyroid,” Levitan says. “If you are low in it (which many people are today because they avoid table salt and processed foods) your thyroid can become sluggish and lower your metabolism. Conversely, taking too much in a high dose supplement can lead to a form of hyperthyroidism and weight can yoyo — ultimately burning out and leading to further weight gain."
Other vitamins that Levitan says she sees contributing to fatigue and lack of energy, which ultimately impact weight, are iron, vitamin D, magnesium and certain B vitamins.
“Some speculate that excesses of certain B vitamins can cause weight gain,” Levitan says. “These are some of the reasons it is key to take vitamins in proper doses individualized for your own diet, lifestyle and health concerns (including weight). A personalized multivitamin is a great way to do so.”
