Should you take supplements?

Can we get all the nutrients we need from food alone? 

Or do we really need to take health supplements? 

This was a question that piqued me in the past.

I used to have weak health and will take medical leave every few months, and whenever I overwork myself and get exposed to drastic change in temperature, I would fell sick.

So I would buy some multi-vitamins and take them whenever I fell sick. However, I don’t take them regularly. I take them only when I am feeling sick. 

As such, I never see the real benefits of taking supplement as I don’t see my health improving much.

It was years later that I did some research and have a deeper understanding on the current situation that I hope this article can help to clear some misconception on this topic.

“Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements." 

- June 2002, Journal of the American Medical Association

For many years, most doctors would not think of recommending people to take supplements until this milestone publication by the respected JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) advise all adults to take some vitamin supplement.

In a large 21000 person study, it was concluded that NOT ONE person received the nutritional requirements set forth by the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). Reference: John Cordaro, CRN, 1993.

Vitamins & mineral supplementation is necessary for the following reasons:

Crop nutrient losses - Decades of agriculture overwork & deplete food crops. One study showed 6 minerals have been reduced by 76% between 1940 & 1991. (“The Composition of Foods”, 1991, MAFF & the RSC).

Over-cooking & microwave cooking - Studies show that this can destroy or alter the nutritional structure of food. (“Pediatrics”, vol. 89, no. 4, April 1992).

Food storage - Food being stored or frozen over time will have their nutritional value being depleted.

Food omission - Allergies to foods, crash dieting & poorly designed vegetarian diets omit significant dietary source of nutrients.

Environmental factors - Excessive herbicides and pesticides will affect nutritional content of crops.

Poor lifestyle - Smoking, alcohol & caffeine can inhibit the absorption of vitamins or accelerate loss of nutrients.

Stress - Physical or emotional stress can increase the body’s requirement of vitamins and minerals.

Imbalance - The level of each vitamin and mineral in the body has an effect on others, so if one is out of balance or missing, all can be adversely affected. 

Nutrient variance - There are substantial differences between one fruit or vegetable. One tomato can have 10 times more nutrients than another — which tomato did you eat? 

With so many reasons to support why we need to take supplements, it is important to select one that is safe with proven health benefits.

I am glad that I found a reliable company that have their supplements designed by scientists using ingredients proven to work and have their own clinical studies. 

Since then my health has improved tremendously and my family’s too. 

Look out for my next article on how to select a good vitamin & mineral supplement.

(Ref: 76 Scientists Finally Agree - How to Select a Good Vitamin & Mineral Supplement)

(Images credit: Freepik)

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