This a longish but interesting read regarding vitamin supplements. Some swear by them, others believe a good balanced diet, and some time spent outdoors, getting some sun is all you need. Life savers to some, and junk flogged by snake oil salesman by others.
Eddie
From the Guardian
You need vitamins to convert food into energy. The question is how
best to get them. Most people who eat a reasonable diet will get
everything they need in the food that they eat. But there are some
people who have special diets – for example vegans or those who live in
climates where it's never sunny – who would benefit from supplemental
vitamins. But, for the most part, we get what we need in foods.
Other people think: “Because I'm not sure I'm getting all my
vitamins, let me just take a multivitamin every day” – which is OK.
Multivitamins contain at or about the recommended dose of vitamins for
that day. But then there are some people who believe that more is better
– that by taking large quantities of daily vitamins they will do even
better, live even longer and decrease the risk of cancer or heart
disease. But in fact, many studies have shown that the exact opposite is
true – that if you choose to take these large quantities of excess
vitamins, then you increase risk of cancer and heart disease and shorten
your life.
More on this story here.
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I would really like to believe that over-the counter -multivitamins work bu its all so random.
ReplyDeletemany of them probably contain ineffecttual doses which while they do no harm probably do no good either.
There is also the problem of absorption-if you can't absorb he stuff in tablet form you can take it till it comes out of your ears and it won't help.
Then , of course there is the placebo effect as menioned which may account for many of the successes.
On the oher hand taking certain supplements long term may mask underlying , problems which should be reated.
The same problem is commomn to all forms of complementary medcine.. and mass medication and one-size -fits -all treaments by whoever.
We are , in fact, individuals,
The big problem is that nobody seems able to agree on what constitutes a balanced diet!
ReplyDeleteRay
We know Ray and it ain't the junk that turned us into diabetics. All these so called guidelines are are dreamed up by no-bodies and plucked out of thin air. Look at the DUK and NHS diet guidelines for diabetics, complete tosh. They can stick the guidelines and I'm sticking with what I know works for me, you and most diabetics.
ReplyDeleteEddie
I hear what you are saying Blinkered. I believe my diet over the last 5 years has been the best of my life. I spend a lot of time outdoors soaking up the rays. I have gone 64 years without supplements and few meds. I am sticking to the plan, diet and exercise, the rest is down to genetics, and fate.
ReplyDeleteEddie
Very important topic and you just did an amazing job presenting it in a simple and clear manner.
ReplyDelete