This week I threw out my multivitamin.
It was partly due to the recent news of contaminants found in some vitamins. It was partly because if I don’t take them at the same time I eat a large meal they make me sick. It was also partly because I’ve been using them as a crutch.
Let’s face it, it’s a lot easier to think “did I take my multivitamin today” than “did I have enough servings of leafy greens today”. You just swallow that little vitamin pill and call it nutritional eating for the day.
Sadly, there really is no good substitute for the nutrients found in real food. Studies indicate that your body knows more readily what to do with natural food than the factory versions we try to fool it into accepting. Mother Nature still knows best.
So, like it or not vitamins aren’t the ready answer we’d like them to be. One of our main health goals should be careful and well-balanced eating, not choosing the right supplement at the drug store. We can even cause more damage by providing our body with nutrients it doesn’t need. It is possible to overdose on certain vitamins, or cause damage to organs such as the kidneys or liver as they work to get rid of the “extra stuff”.
Yes, vitamin supplements have a use and a purpose. Sometimes our body has a specific need that it would be physically impossible to fill from food sources. This can be long or short term but it is generally specific to a few deficiencies. An umbrella multivitamin may not be what you need.
Do most people really need a multivitamin? No. Here are a few of the cases where it might still be a good idea though.
- If you truly don’t, or can’t, eat well.
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You’re a career dieter.
- You’re going through menopause.
- You smoke or drink excessively.
If any of these situations apply to you, look carefully at your diet and work closely with your doctor or nutritionist to provide the best balance possible.
Related Articles:
Definition of “Healthy Eating”
Make Your Favorite Foods Healthier