Are Vitamin Supplements Necessary?
Honestly, vitamin supplements aren’t really necessary for a normal, healthy adult. All of the vitamins and minerals that the body needs are either produced in the body, which means as long as the body is functioning properly it should be producing enough, or in the foods we eat.
By eating a balanced diet on a regular basis, there should be no reason for you to take vitamin supplements. Many people try to overcompensate for their bad dietary habits or to fight illness or boost athletic performance by mega dosing on vitamins. Not only does this not work but it can be dangerous as you can overdose on some vitamins.
The National Research Council establishes daily allowances that are a guideline to use to help ensure that you are eating a healthy diet. By paying attention to the labels on what you eat and adjusting your diet you can make sure that you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals without having to add costly, non effective vitamin supplements to your daily diet.
If you do feel the need to supplement your diet with vitamins be sure to read the labels and make sure that you know what is in them.
Posted: August 30th, 2008 under Diet, Health.
Comments: 3
Comments
Comment from Ed
Time: August 30, 2008, 7:15 pm
Thanks for this post Mandy. People need to know that vitamins are not only unnecessary, but sometimes dangerous. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies and you’ll get your vitamins.
Comment from Lzyjo
Time: September 1, 2008, 1:34 pm
Great post! It’s the truth! Using common sense and eating whole foods is always best. I read a lawsuit were a man lost all of his hair and fingernails from taking a protein-shake type supplement, he basically had heavy-metal poisoning from the high levels of bioaccumulative selenium and cadmium.
Comment from Green Home Hints
Time: September 4, 2008, 7:45 am
Good info here. Its important to know that a balanced, healthy diet is key to getting all of your vitamins…natuarlly.
On another note, and I hope this isn’t too gross for everyone, but…I have a friend who works for our national parks. They have people come in to clean the outhouses in the parks. He told me once that when these people come in to clean out the tanks, the bottom is littered with pills….compacted vitamin supplements that don’t even have a chance to break down in your body before they are expelled…if ya know what I mean! Just a little more info on why not to use vitamin supplements!
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