We're constantly being told that one
of the best ways to good health is to 'take our vitamins'. I've
personally gone through phases where I take a multivitamin daily
followed by times when I don't touch them, because I've always
wondered whether they actually offer any benefit and are worth the
hefty price tag. So I decided it was time for me to do a little
research on this topic. Here's what I discovered.
Many
studies have shown that multivitamins don't actually offer any
substantial health benefits. In fact, scientists are
increasingly realising that most vitamin and mineral supplements are
pointless. An editioral that was published in the Annals of
Internal Medicine
entitled Enough is Enough; Stop Wasting Money On Vitamin and Mineral Supplements concluded
that multivitamins don't reduce the likelihood of developing cancer
or cardiovascular disease and do nothing to slow down cognitive
decline.
It's
not a case of our bodies not needing vitamins and minerals – of
course, we require them to survive and to perform at our best. However, most people living in the
West who eat a varied diet will acquire the majority of them from their food. Taking high
amounts in a synthetic form isn't natural and could actually be
harmful by increasing
the risk of cancer, other diseases and mortality.
If
you've been considering taking a vitamin supplement because you feel
you may be deficient, instead try incorporating more nutrient rich
foods (especially fruit and vegetables) into your diet. Educate yourself
as to which foods contain certain vitamins and minerals, then eat
them. Plenty of them. It's hard to overdose on vitamins from vegetables because there's only so much we can eat before feeling full. On the other hand, a pill doesn't offer the satiety factor so it's a lot easier to consume a potentially dangerous dosage without realising.
There has never been any substitute for healthy eating...and guess what? There never will be! Taking a multivitamin is not your ticket to eat an unhealthy diet and think it's ok because you're still getting your vitamins in. It just doesn't work that way!
There has never been any substitute for healthy eating...and guess what? There never will be! Taking a multivitamin is not your ticket to eat an unhealthy diet and think it's ok because you're still getting your vitamins in. It just doesn't work that way!
What are your thoughts on multivitamins? Do you take them?