Vitamins and Supplements - What are they really worth ?
most households down a number vitamins and other supplements daily without a thought. This is largely due to their ease and availabilty, an abundance of information for the promotion of these products, heavy marketing campaigns and testimonials by trusted professionals.
Certainly supplements may play a part in optimizing our health, though it's important to think about whether the majority of these products really are enhancing our health and cleansing our bodies or whether a few small changes to our daily intake with proper nutrition could see us reaping even more rewards !
Harvard Health discusses Vitamin Supplements and discusses whether they are really improving our health:
"Do vitamins and other supplements live up to their promise?"
Dietary supplements are wildly popular. Over one millions Americans take at least one supplement. The attraction is understandable. Many people want to optimize their health and well-being. The supplement industry has a strong financial interest in meeting this need and promoting their products. But manufacturers do not need to prove the purity, strength, safety, or effectiveness of supplements. And the law does not require proof that claims on the label are true.
A recent issue of the Harvard Men’s Health Watch gives readers an overview of the evidence (for or against) several popular supplements, including vitamin D, selenium, St. John’s wort, and multivitamins. Harvey Simon, M.D., editor of the Harvard Men’s Health Watch cautions readers, “Consumers should always keep an eye out for new study reports. Recommendations will change as scientific studies trickle in. Unfortunately, in most cases, the studies have failed to confirm our hopes, though there are exceptions.”
Despite their popularity, there is no evidence that multivitamins enhance health or prevent illness. In fact, both the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and a National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference concluded that multivitamins do not offer protection against heart disease or cancer. In contrast, research suggests that fish oil supplements may be beneficial for people with heart disease.
Dr. Simon recommends a thoughtful and careful approach. “It is often hard to balance sober scientific reports with the simple, hopeful promises of well-marketed vitamins and supplements.” The Harvard Men’s Heath Watch offers some tips for doing just that.
Watch for extravagant claims. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually isn’t true. Take testimonials and endorsements with a grain of salt, especially those from celebrities. Even the most sincere, well-intended recommendations offered by friends and relatives without financial incentives can’t establish a product’s safety or efficacy.
It isn’t true that “if a little is good, more is better.” In fact we have learned that even the most harmless sounding supplement can have unintended negative effects.
Beware of meaningless terms. The list includes “all-natural,” “antioxidant-rich,” “clinically proven,” “anti-aging,” and other vague but seductive claims that a product can work wonders. Even if you take supplements, be sure to eat well, exercise regularly, and work with your doctor to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar in good control, advises the Men’s Health Watch. Tell your clinicians about any and all supplements you take; full disclosure is important, particularly since supplements can have adverse interactions with medications.
Not sure where to begin? Your best bet is to eat as clean, pure and natural as possible. Consuming organic or home grown produce or taking the time to seek out fresh natural produce will help not only your digestion, absorption and nutritional intake but you will also see the difference in your energy levels, skin, hair, heart health, circulation, may prevent past, present or furture illness and increase your overall sense of wellbeing.
If you know you are not meeting your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, a supplement may be beneficial to you. It's super important to discuss your needs with a health professional such as a nutritionist, naturopath or natural doctor prior to starting on any supplement plan. Don't just take the label or someone elses word for the health of your body, take your health into your own hands and decide for yourself whether a synthesised product of any kind is right for you.
Decide now to find out exactly what you are putting into your body each day and make the changes to need to improve your overall well being.
Your body will thank you for taking the time and making the difference !!
Always committed to your success,
Marissa
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