What You Need to Know About Vitamins Today
How to improve the dos’ and don’ts for a better life per science
Why common sense is required, otherwise you will loose your mind/sanity along with your pocket book.
Past studies showed that the average person don’t get enough vitamins and minerals in their daily meals, so supplements were required to have a healthy life and hopefully somewhat disease free life. My doctor told me years ago that if I just ate healthy and consumed lots of vegetables I should be okay.
I was in my twenties at that time, and always remembered my doctor’s famous words and for over forty years I adhered to his advice and actually felt very healthy, no main illness and felt more healthier than I did in my twenties.
The main reason for feeling better now was in part due to my exercise regimen, of exercising six days a week, unlike in my twenties. Well, when you’re young and yet in shape, physically and mentally, exercise was the farthermost thing from my mind and body.
Fast forward, life got stressful and exercise became my new mantra and the rest was history. Stress level was greatly reduced and exercise became my new way of life.
Especially after I heard from another study that stated that if you exercise, the body will produce and heal itself. I was thrilled to learn of this information as it confirmed what I was already doing to be the best thing yet and that I was on a good track.
As I aged and others aged around me, various close associates started talking about women needed certain vitamins as they got older to rebuild what their bodies used to produce but no longer can produce.
The first study that I adhered to was based largely since my mother and father were taking an aspirin a day to keep there blood thin and to ward off a heart attack and/or stroke. So I started to take aspirin until my doctor looked at my vitals and recommended that I discontinue taking aspirin and so it was.
Next study advised, women over forty needed to take vitamin D along with calcium for bone density. Vitamin D and Calcium taking together was best for its absorption in the body. Plus my sister who worked in a lab confirmed all to be valid. So here I go again taking my Vitamin D along with my calcium. On the heels of this study comes another study that you don’t need to take Vitamin D with calcium, there’s no benefit, the body just releases it. By now, I don’t know what to do, so I just stopped. Oh fyi, another study advised, exercise will build the bones stronger preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis. Well, this study was music to my ears especially when it came to using heavier free weights which was supposed to help build stronger bones. Yeah!! Stopped taking Vitamin D and the calcium per my doctor. Years passed, my vitals showed I had a deficiency in Vitamin D and am now back on Vitamin D.
Fast forward again to current day, the latest study, “Are vitamins a waste of money? A new study says yes”. Lord have mercy! Here we go again! Everyone’s medicine cabin. This stash is due to a more conscience effort to be more health conscious, especially as we get older. According to this study, dietary supplements is a $32 billion industry.
Why is it a $32 billion dollar industry? Because of all these dog gone studies. A research group conducts a study, makes a mandate and here we go to the over the counter drug store. We fill their pockets and they fill our medicine cabinets periodically. One vitamin or mineral supplement replacing a newer one. This is endless. Time for some common sense!
One of the latest and most recent study done regarding supplements to improve life and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It noted that the vast majority of supplements won’t help you live a longer life or reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. Researchers combed through 277 randomized clinical trials that examined 16 vitamins or other supplements, along with eight diets associated with reduced mortality and heart problems ranging from coronary heart disease to stroke and heart attacks. One million people globally data was studied. What about the other countless number of vitamins and supplements?
According to Science Daily, “The majority of the supplements including multivitamins, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D alone, calcium alone and iron showed no link to increased or decreased risk of death or heart health.”
“For the purpose of primary prevention, there’s no benefit for taking any of these supplements for all-cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality,” Prashant Vaishnava, a cardiologist at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
Thank God for small things. This study suggested that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduced heart attack risk by 8 percent and coronary heart disease risk by 7 percent. Also, folic acid supplements lowered the risk of stroke by 20 percent.
Stop!!! Don’t go dishing out all of your vitamins and minerals!! Common sense to the rescue. If you have any type of vitamin and/or mineral deficiency or prescribed by your doctor or nutritionist, then you must be aware and take care of your personal need because this study didn’t include you. If you are pregnant, do what you need to do during your pregnancy. Getting your deficiency filled by your food is the best because the body readily receives the nutrients from your food. When taking these supplements get a high-quality brand and ensure the ingredients required are present.
If you currently have an ailment and is taking medication, ensure that your vitamins and minerals supplement over the counter doesn’t counter your prescribed medicine. Again, I repeat and caution, common sense in all things.
Lastly, if you want to live a long healthy hearty life, then eat healthy, exercise and drink lots of water. Remember, an apple a day will keep the doctor away. Minimize your salt and sugar, they are the enemy to your body.
In conclusion, if you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and do not have any nutritional deficiencies, you don’t need to pop those vitamin and mineral supplements.
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