Vitamin Supplementation May Cause More Harm Than Good

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We live in a drive-thru society.  We want instant service, instant gratification and instant results.  We are constantly being told how important vitamins and minerals are to a healthy, functioning body.

The truth is that the majority of us are not getting the recommended amounts of these vitamins and minerals and turn to vitamin supplements to achieve fast-tracked health and wellness.  Unfortunately though, this may be causing us much more harm than good.

Nature has provided us with an abundance of natural, whole foods.  These foods come perfectly presented to us with all of the necessary proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, minerals and fibers.     Not only are these whole foods including all of the nutrients we need, but they are in the right balance and proportion, which is a very important aspect to consider.

So what happens when we try to skip the perfect presentation and go to our bottled vitamins instead?   When we consume whole food nutrients, we are getting the advantage of the whole pie.  When we break up this pie with bottled vitamins, we are more than likely just getting a few “too sweet” pieces, instead of the whole pie.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and not intended to be taken as medical advice.  

Supplementation May Cause Us Harm

Supplements introduce a synthetic product into the body in artificial amounts.   Often, these doses are much higher than what the person needs.  This can affect the body’s natural balance.   For example, taking too many iron supplements may lead to over-consumption and iron poisoning, which can damage the stomach, the digestive track and the liver (1)(2).

This can be really concerning because iron is found in so many store multi-vitamins and other supplements. Most pediatricians even recommend an iron supplement for children!  The same can go for supplements like calcium, too.  Over-consumption of calcium has been associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and even death (1).

Soil Quality Has Little Bearing On Vitamin Intake

Some people may justify taking vitamin supplements because they feel that our soil is so depleted that our crops are not containing the right amount of nutrients to live a truth healthy life.   Do we really need to worry about soil depletion? Not so much.  Unless you grow all of your own food in your back yard, your food is coming from multiple different soil landscapes.

You likely purchase your food from many different regions.  This makes it so that you are compensating for any deficiencies.  Even if soil in one region is deficient of one type of vitamin or mineral, changes are that the next region you purchase from will not be.   Also, keep in mind that if the soil was critically devoid of nutrients, nothing would grow there.

The Real Problem is Vitamin Excess, Not Deficiency

Even if someone is not at all into health and wellness, the chances are they probably take a daily multi-vitamin, thinking they are doing their “due-diligence” for their bodies.   Many people are under the impression that daily vitamins deliver a balanced composition of nutrients.  A multi-vitamin can never substitute for the assortment of antioxidants and phyto-chemicals available in natural, whole foods.  Secondly, there is zero evidence to support that a vitamin can aid in the prevention of illnesses such as heart disease and cancer (1).

If we give supplements some thought, it makes absolute sense that vitamin and mineral supplements cannot cure illnesses like mentioned above, because those are mainly diseases of excess, not deficiency.   Those illnesses result from eating junk food, fried and fast foods and a sedentary lifestyle.  We cannot pile all of these bad foods into our bodies and expect that a multi-vitamin will be the magic bullet to erase this damage done to our bodies.

Should We Avoid All Supplements?

I am not telling you to avoid all supplements, but I am telling you to not take them casually or as a replacement for a healthy diet.  Treat vitamins like medications and take them as a last resort only if you are deficient or unable to obtain, absorb or metabolize the original source.

Two Vitamins Worth Supplementing

Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is made from bacteria.  Animals consume dirt full with bacteria with their plants and water.  Then those animals accumulate B12 in their systems and become a source of B12 for humans.   We rarely eat unwashed plants anymore or drink dirty water, so our B12 levels do tend to suffer.  Since B12 is very difficult to get on our own, especially for vegans or vegetarians,  a B12 supplement may be in good order.

Vitamin D: This is the second supplement recommended because the important of vitamin D should not be ignored.  It is essential for optimal health.  The absolute best source for vitamin D is being out in the sun. Even 15-20 minutes a day 3-4 times a week would be very helpful in maintaining good vitamin D levels.  If you are not able to access the sun for long periods of time, supplementation is recommended.

Besides the two exceptions of B12 and vitamin D, experts do not believe that vitamin or mineral supplementation is necessary is an otherwise healthy individual.   Always get your vitamin levels checked and look into whole food sources to get all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

Love & Light,
Naturally Nicole

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(1) Pulde, Alona, and Matthew Lederman. “Chapter 13: Supplements.” Keep It Simple, Keep It Whole: Your Guide to Optimum Health. Los Angeles, CA: Exsalus Health & Wellness Center, 2010. N. pag. Print.

(2) “Iron Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route).” Side Effects. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

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