Some people notice an increase in feelings of hunger after starting to take vitamin or mineral supplements. Although supplementation can affect hunger in certain situations, the increased appetite is usually due to another cause.
Supplements and appetite
There is very little research to suggest that vitamin and mineral supplements increase hunger. A survey of 330 people in Saudi Arabia who used dietary supplements found that a majority – 59.8% – however reported an increase in appetite as a positive effect of supplementation.
It is important to note that this research relies on self-reported results; it did not attempt to objectively confirm that supplement use was the reason participants may have noticed an increase in appetite. There was also no control group of people not taking dietary supplements for comparison.
The research also didn’t specify the exact supplements people were taking, although it noted that many participants took multivitamins, specific vitamins, or mineral supplements. It is unclear whether participants took supplements of other types, such as herbs, amino acids, or other compounds.
So while this research found that many participants reported an increase in appetite due to taking supplements, it did not attempt to determine whether this was objectively true (or why), or with which dietary supplements this might occur.
Health Concerns, Appetite and Supplementation
It has been suggested that people with certain health conditions may feel their appetite increase with supplementation.
Vitamin and mineral supplementation in people with chronic respiratory diseases can improve symptoms such as loss of appetite, according to a review article. The authors write that people with such illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may even see their condition improve after supplementation and dietary changes.
People who lose their appetite due to advanced cancer may experience an improvement in their appetite (as well as a reduction in nausea and vomiting) with intravenous (IV) administration of high doses of vitamin C, according to another research paper.
Some patients, however, have reported loss of appetite due to the IV vitamin C treatments themselves. The authors write that additional research is needed to confirm and better understand the effectiveness of IV vitamin C supplementation.
Nutritional deficiencies and appetite
One of the side effects of some nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, is a loss of appetite. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, vitamin B12 deficiency is more common among older adults, vegans and vegetarians, people with pernicious anemia or digestive disorders, and those who have undergone weight-loss surgery.
Deficiencies of other B vitamins, including thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin (vitamin B7), and folate (vitamin B9) may also cause a lack of appetite, according to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston.
Zinc deficiency is also associated with poor appetite. Zinc deficiencies can be caused by a diet low in zinc (especially vegetarian or vegan diets), certain health conditions, or medical treatments.
A number of health conditions can cause low zinc levels. They include alcohol use disorders, certain gastrointestinal illnesses, HIV, kidney or liver disease, type 2 diabetes and pregnancy, among others, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
You can usually treat and correct a diagnosed nutritional deficiency by eating foods rich in the vitamins or minerals you need and taking prescribed supplements.
Other things to consider
Some people start taking vitamins in an effort to become healthier. At the same time, they increase their physical activity, which could make them hungrier, according to Sports Dietitians Australia, a professional organization. Or they limit the number of calories they eat, which — you guessed it — can also cause increased feelings of hunger, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
Check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have a more serious medical problem, as a number of medical problems can also increase hunger. Diabetes, hyperthyroidism (also known as Graves’ disease), premenstrual syndrome, atypical depression, anxiety and stress can all cause increased hunger, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Certain medications, including some antihistamines, antidepressants, and oral corticosteroids, may also increase hunger, according to MedlinePlus and the AARP.
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