Supplements just aren't the same...

[Nancy LC]

http://theedge.bostonherald.com/healthNews/view.bg?articleid=38324

Vitamins can't replace vegetables.

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Vitamins can't top vegetables for hearts
By Kay Lazar
Tuesday, August 3, 2004

There's no way around it, top heart docs say: You have to eat your veggies . . . and other real food.

The vitamin E and other antioxidant supplements many Americans are popping to head off heart disease may not be having the desired effect - the latest and best research shows they don't work, the American Heart Association said.

In an advisory, the AHA recommends consumers get antioxidants from a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and poultry - and not from vitamins. After reviewing several large-scale studies, the AHA concluded antioxidant vitamins have no heart-protection benefits, although the group said more study is needed on the issue.



A small British study in 1996 suggested vitamin E could help - setting off a vitamin stampede among the heart conscious. Many studies since have questioned that conclusion, but apparently consumers didn't hear of it.

``My fear, as a cardiologist, is that people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol say, `I am taking vitamin E to protect my heart,' and don't take medicines like (cholesterol-lowering) statins,'' said Dr. Christopher Cannon of Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Cannon said he hoped AHA's advisory will clarify the issue so consumers can ``think about the proven therapies, such as statins and low dose aspirin that can be beneficial, along with diet and exercise.''

[woodpecker]

It's probably true that most vitamins are not cure-alls, but there are a lot of things that reduce cholesterol more efficiently than statins - if that's even necessary.

[adkpam]

"``My fear, as a cardiologist, is that people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol say, `I am taking vitamin E to protect my heart,' and don't take medicines like (cholesterol-lowering) statins,'' said Dr. Christopher Cannon of Brigham and Women's Hospital. "

My fear, as a person, is that my doctor will want to stuff me full of expensive and unneeded drugs.

[BadgerGirl]

I know what I'm about to say is anathema to most members of this list, but I eschew supplments.

OK, not exactly true. Every morning I take ONE Solgar multi-vitamin.

I just can't gag down all those pills Atkins recommends, and they upset my stomach anyway. Plus, they are expensive!

I eat almost 100% natural foods (e.g., no frankenfoods) and a varied diet. My body doesn't seem to be suffering. My blood counts are excellent, my hair is like a silk curtain, and my skin is as smooth and peachy as never before.

Anyone else skip vitamins in bulk? Or do you really notice a benefit from one/many of them? I'm curious.

[CindySue48]

I don't really take anything on a regular basis....but I am trying to get on fish oil supplements, due to high cholesterol numbers.

I do try to take a multi a day, but miss more days than not!

I also try to avoid frankenfoods, and feel I eat healthy enough that most supplements are not needed. I don't eat enough fish, so the fish oil supplements won't hurt, right?

[Nancy LC]

The point, as I see it, is get your nutrition from food, not pills. We don't really know long term how effective or safe supplements are. I find it a little ironic that people who avoid artificially created foods gobble artificially created nutrients like mad. Frankenmins? Vitasteins?

[zedgirl]

I know what I'm about to say is anathema to most members of this list, but I eschew supplments.

OK, not exactly true. Every morning I take ONE Solgar multi-vitamin.

I just can't gag down all those pills Atkins recommends, and they upset my stomach anyway. Plus, they are expensive!

I eat almost 100% natural foods (e.g., no frankenfoods) and a varied diet. My body doesn't seem to be suffering. My blood counts are excellent, my hair is like a silk curtain, and my skin is as smooth and peachy as never before.

Anyone else skip vitamins in bulk? Or do you really notice a benefit from one/many of them? I'm curious.

I’m with you. Just the size of those things puts me off. My DH thinks it’s hilarious watching me trying to swallow a multivitamin. I don’t take any now and am doing fine (and saving a fortune).

The more I read the more I am convinced that vitamins and minerals when supplied in their natural state (fresh food etc.) provide the perfect package but in pill form lack what is necessary to enable the body to utilize them efficiently.

I’ve also dropped back my water intake so I no longer have to take a supplement to stop the leg cramps. I was never comfortable forcing down 2-3 litres of water a day to then have to spend half my time running to the toilet and fighting off cramps.

[nepeta]

I take them, but know that getting them from food is a hundred times better. Still a lot of minerals are hard to get from food because of soil depletion of minerals like magnesium.
Also taking omega 3/fish oils seems to be something important to take. Especially with the abundance of omega 6 out there. People used to eat meat and fish that was high in omega 3, but now cause most of these are grain fed, they are no longer a good source of it. Because of this I think everyone could benefit from a good fish oil supplement.

[nepeta]

I don't really take anything on a regular basis....but I am trying to get on fish oil supplements, due to high cholesterol numbers.

I do try to take a multi a day, but miss more days than not!

I also try to avoid frankenfoods, and feel I eat healthy enough that most supplements are not needed. I don't eat enough fish, so the fish oil supplements won't hurt, right?


It's important to get a good quality of fish oil caps, ones that are free of pcbs and heavy metals. It should say this on the label (that it's been tested for these things) It's also a good idea to refrigerate these once you get them.

[nepeta]

My fear, as a person, is that my doctor will want to stuff me full of expensive and unneeded drugs.

:lol: thanks for the laugh. (that is my fear too adkpam)

[LilaCotton]

Anyone else skip vitamins in bulk?

Yes, I take very few supplements. I used a good multi-vitamin while on Induction, and with the help of FitDay have been able to make sure I get at least 100% of ALL vitamins and minerals (including magnesium and potassium) on an almost daily basis. Because of FitDay I now know which foods to increase during hot weather to make up for the amount of nutrients lost through sweating too. A pickled egg and cup of broccoli will give you a ton more electrolytes than the drinks made for such--and is also bunches cheaper! :)