My friend buys all kinds of dietary supplements- even though I tell her they are basically useless. The data show that dietary supplement usage is rapidly increasing- with absolutely no correlation to improved public health. This may be due in part because folks who take these supplements seem to feel they have been made impervious to various ailments, and, therefore, indulge is somewhat risky behavior.
A recent study that will be published soon in Psychological Science 1 provides the proof to this statement. Drs. Wen-Bin Chiou, Chao-Chin Yang, and Chin-Sheng Wan (of three different eminent institutions in Taiwan) performed an interesting set of tests. They found that folks who took multivitamins were more willing to choose an unhealthy meal over a health meal, later in the day, for example.
The experiments involved two groups- one was told they were receiving a multivitamin and the other were told they were taking a placebo. However, in actuality, everyone was receiving a placebo. Those who thought they were taking vitamins were less prone to exercise or eat properly. The second set of tests had those thinking they were taking vitamins less likely to walk, than those thinking they were taking a placebo.
On top of these experiments, we have years of other data. There is no scientific data that taking any or all these supplements helps anyone one iota! There are no tests or studies that have been undertaken that demonstrate changing from a balanced, nutritionally correct diet to one less so, supplemented by pills, provides any benefit. We simply don’t know how all our foods interact to yield the benefits they do.
When we couple these findings with our knowledge of homeopathic preparations, we see a pattern. Dr. Kevin Smith published a plea online in Bioethics that public funding of homeopathy cease. (Homeopathy is currently provided as a health care option in Scotland, from which he writes.) His verbiage is that homeopathy is “ethically unacceptable” and should be rejected by healthcare providers. He is not alone, the British Medical Association has the same opinion. Oh, you can say, “Of course, the medical establishment is against homeopathy. It takes business away from them.” But, that is not really the salient fact.
A major factor behind this complaint is that Scottish general practitioners are prescribing 10X as many homeopathic remedies as their English counterparts. And, these patients are NOT getting better, but the placebo affect that makes the patient “feel” better. Dr. Smith argues that given that the placebo effect is the only positive result, the patient is not fully informed and consent is, therefore, not present. He goes on to say that…:[h]omeopathic preparations are so thoroughly dluted that they contain no significant amounts of active ingredients….[T}here’s no convincing evidence to support claims of effectiveness for homeopathy.”
Those are very strong words, I admit. But, it is true that most of these alternative preparations do not follow stringent quality assurance, nor is their testing of their “significant ingredients” after compounding.
This does not mean that, should someone has a medical condition AND a health professional has determined that there is a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, taking those supplements do not make sense. Patients suffering from diabetes or gastrointestinal diseases are two such conditions that come to mind. Perhaps breast-fed children should consider the use of supplements, as well, since breast milk may lack vitamins A, C, and D in sufficient quantity.
But, healthy people need healthy diets and not supplements. The supplements don’t even provide any insurance, since many of the supplements are for fat soluble entities- and, if one persists in choosing a lean diet, then there won’t be sufficient fats in the food taken to make the supplement available for use in the body.
As a whole, Americans do not have vitamin-deficient diets, so there is no need for supplementation- unless a health professional so advises you.
- Wen-Bin Chiou, Chao-Chin Yang and Chin-Sheng Wan. Ironic Effects of Dietary Supplementation: Illusory Invulnerability Created by Taking Dietary Supplements Licenses Health-risk Behaviors. Psychological Science, (in press)
- Smith, Kevin. Against Homeopathy. A Utilitarian Perspective. Bioethics (in press)
Roy, I great up taking vitamins, and they probably saved my life. However, life was different back then and I believe the supplement market has changed and not in a good way. I believe SOME supplementation is good, especially given that our food sources are less vitamin-packed than they used to be. But the reliance on vitamins to keep you healthy – can’t be done. If you eat poorly, your body will reflect that, and no amount of vitamins will counter that.
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Vitamins are useful, if there is a metabolic issue, Lisbeth. But, without picking on any company (even though I have SO many choices), taking a multivitamin is a waste of money- if you eat a balanced diet. And, taking a vitamin just so you don’t need a balanced diet is a very bad choice to make. Taking fat soluble vitamins with water and no milk, cheese, etc. is a waste of money. Taking too much will lead to accumulation in your body. Taking water soluble vitamins to excess is just a waste of money, but can’t really hurt you (unless you have kidney failure), which is why Dr. Pauling’s (one of my heroes) choice of vitamin C was not dangerous.
Thanks for dropping in and commenting. Missed seeing your words and voice…
Roy
Roy,
Love this blog and hope that many will read it and realize that dietary supplements are NOT worth taking. On top of that they aren’t FDA approved and we do not know what the long term damages could be to our bodies. Just my thoughts on why I do not take such things.
I am running a series of these. There are two more. Some are actually pharma prep vitamins- used for disease states, as I alluded to in this piece.
I have been involved in nutraceuticals on and off for more years than I care to discuss. The clients with whom I was involved all met GMP standards and effected testing. Their products were unique and capable. And, just like pharma products get used for “off-label” concepts, so did these.
Thanks for your comments. Stick with a balanced diet, Leona. Unless- G0d forbid, you develop a condition where some adjuvants (come on, you knew I was going to bring that in somewhere) are needed!
Roy
Roy, I completely agree that getting our vitamins straight from the plant source is best for our bodies. We do, however, have to be sure we’re eating enough of the wholesome foods that will give us the appropriate amount of vitamins and nutrients that we need. Thanks for bringing this information to our attention!
Absolutely, Roz! Thanks for making that perfectly clear. If we don’t consume a balanced diet, something will be missing- and it’s not the best idea to say- well, I’ll take vitamins then 9since you may be missing a fat soluble nutrient or the vitamin pill may not really have the dosage you need.
Thanks for visiting.
Come back often.
Roy
I agree that people need to focus on what they are eating….people want to eat processed junk food and then just take a vitamin to get their nutrition!! Nutrition comes packaged in food not in a bottle….its sad….
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Yes, many of us seek the simple ways. We run around all day and think stopping at some fast foodery will provide us with a balanced meal. Or, we add junk to our diet (yes, it may taste good) but it adds nothing to our nutrition. Thanks for the visit AND the comments, “Rawkinmom” . Come back often.
Roy
As a kid, I had terrible jaundice and then when I was in college, I had a terrible accident which burst open my head (Yikes!); so the hospital thing scared me for a long time; nightmares and all…now why this is relevant here? Because I got so scared of hospitals and the liked that I vowed to eat healthy so that nothing (besides accidents of course) makes me go to the hospital. So though I do eat junk here and there, I make sure I eat at least one fruit a day and I have lots of vegetables and my last check up tells me I am doing just fine without those pills! Also, as a teenager I saw many girls skip lunch and pop in some Multi Vitamin pills to get the “strength” and still remain slim not like us “fat girls” who were so adamant on having lunch. Sadly, popping in those pills has become more of a fad and less of a needed supplement. Hope my comment made sense! Have a great day!
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Thanks for bringing home the message, Hajra!!! Eat right to be right!
Take care!
Roy
You are saying what so many already know. There is no need for supplements if you are eating a well-balanced diet every day. We have gone crazy in this country thinking there is a pill for everything and that we NEED a pill for everything. I am a 54 year old woman who takes not one single pill and am as healthy as a horse. I contribute that to my diet plus my positive mindset. Thanks for a well-informed post!
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Thanks for the re-affirmation, Martha! We all want an easy way out- to pig out on jellybeans, donuts, coffee, and ice cream- supplemented by vitamins, as if that would keep us healthy.
NOT!
Stay healthy and informed.
Roy
This can be a issue, if your multivitamin does
not get stay enzymes you’re really wasting your hard earned money.
One of the first signals of vitamin C deficiency is weakness, which
will be typically followed by articulation and muscle cramps.
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That is true, Katlyn. And, the real problem is that many of these multivitamins don’t really do anything.
Thanks for the visit- and the warning about Vitamin C deficiency.