Americans may take too many vitamins, experts say
Americans may be taking too many vitamin supplements in the hope of staying healthy and living longer, a panel of U.S. experts said on Wednesday.
Some people clearly need supplements, the panel said — for instance, older women benefit from taking calcium and vitamin D to strengthen their bones, and younger women need to take folic acid to reduce birth defects in any children they may have.
But no studies show strongly that people prosper from popping multivitamin and mineral supplements and some suggest that eating healthily and exercising provide more benefit, the panel said.
“Half of American adults are taking multivitamins and minerals and the bottom line is that we don’t know for sure that they’re benefiting from them,” said Dr. J. Michael McGinnis, a senior scholar with the Institute of Medicine, who chaired the panel.
“In fact, we’re concerned that some people may be getting too much of certain nutrients,” added McGinnis, whose organization advises the federal government on health issues.
Jay Kordich says all you need is a Juiceman II and you can live forever. lol.
“some suggest that eating healthily and exercising provide more benefit”
Doctors have been saying this for years: Eat a healthy, balanced diet and you don’t need to take any vitamins – because you are getting all you need in your food.
I take a daily vitamin because I don’t eat a healthy, balanced diet. 🙂
Hmmm. Sounds like doctors trying to drum up business again. “No, vitamins aren’t doing you any good.” A few months later, and his waiting room is full again. It is true that if you eat right that you don’t need vitamins, but who in this day and age eats right, or watches every meal to make sure they’re getting all that they need? I take a mulitvitamin and cod liver oil every day and I feel great. “A multivitamin a day keeps the glorified drug pusher away.”
#5 bright colors, plump ‘n’ juicy, etc – while decreasing nutritional value
Agreed.
Like what they’ve done to roses – pretty to look at, but no scent…
With my wife working at a specialty food store – which provides samples – I’m also hearing more about lactose intolerance, and nut allergies, than I ever heard before.
Foods which don’t contain any nuts themselves are requiring warning labels because they are “processed” in the same facility that also processes foods which do contain peanuts, etc…
My wife is afraid she is going to give someone a sample of something – after assurring them that it doesn’t contain any milk/nuts/eggs/etc – only to have them get sick due to cross-contamination at a “processing facility”, or inadequate labeling.
“eating healthily and exercising provide more benefit”
It’s not like its an either/or situation, you can take vitamins (I take an A-Z one a day type) and do the rest.
Taking vitamins to get healthy though is stupid. Its part of a good diet – making sure you’re getting everything.
The real secret is to drink a gallon of water a day.
I’ve always been very careful about what I eat, and have eaten healthy all my life. But not everyone lives on an organic food farm like I did/do. But, I still take a multi-vitamin daily, as my Doctors advised.