Many people take dietary supplements in order to improve their health. However, dietary supplements may actually contribute to health problems. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition taking supplements may cause the mineral intake to be too high. Exceeding the daily recommended intake levels could be harmful to health.
Although many respected doctors, such as Dr. Oz, support the use of vitamin supplements, researchers found that people who regularly take dietary supplements generally eat healthier and maintain healthier lifestyles than people who do not take supplements. This means that the people taking dietary supplements are usually those who do not need them; they already get enough vitamins and minerals through their diets. Thus, the dietary supplements may lead to health problems. For example, calcium supplements have been linked to kidney stones.
People taking vitamin supplements should pay close attention to their diets. It may not be wise to take a multi-vitamin if the current diet is only lacking in vitamin C. A healthier option would be to drink a glass of orange juice each day. It is important to evaluate your eating habits and try to include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts in your daily diet. This will reduce the need for daily dietary supplements.
People with poor eating habits, young children, and senior citizens may need to take some dietary supplements. However, it is important to discuss individual nutritional needs with a healthcare provider before taking dietary supplements. Taking too many supplements, especially minerals, may be more harmful to health than failing to get proper nutrition.
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