VITAMINS: HEALTHY DIET
Question: Are nutritional supplements necessary to ensure a healthy diet?
Answer: Interest in taking daily nutritional supplements has recently increased, possibly because of studies showing that diets high in fruits and vegetables have been linked to increased longevity and a lower incidence of common diseases such as cancer and heart disease. With this knowledge in mind, researchers began to examine the health benefits of specific nutritional supplements like vitamins C, E, and A. Although a few of these later studies showed limited benefits of taking these supplements for patients suffering from specific disorders (like vitamin E for patients with heart disease), global benefits of these supplements were not found. Some doctors speculate that taking one or two vitamin supplements was not particularly useful because food contains a complex array of beneficial chemicals (only some of which are vitamins) that work together to generate health benefits. Put simply, there is no substitute for a healthy diet.
Unfortunately, only a minority of Americans follow this advice. As a society, we consume simple sugars and other carbohydrates in excess, as well as too much fatty food. In addition, few people eat the recommended daily requirement of three to five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. People with poor eating habits would do better if they improved their diet rather than investing in nutritional supplements.
There are, of course, times when nutritional supplements are strongly recommended. For example, women who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant in the near future should add folate to their diet because adequate folate intake in the first 3 months of pregnancy helps prevent some birth defects. It is possible to get enough folate by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, but such a diet can be difficult for pregnant women to maintain. Taking a supplement can insure that a pregnant woman reliably gets enough folate.
Nutrition is a complicated topic. If you see your doctor to discuss your interest in eating well, together you can decide whether a specific nutritional supplement is a worthwhile investment.
