Vitamin Supplements are Not a Substitute for a Healthy Diet

Posted on December 10, 2008

This morning I caught a clip on the news about a study that found vitamin supplements might not be as great as they’re hyped up to be.

The doctor presenting the findings suggested that the vitamin supplements may only have benefits if you are severely malnourished. 

I remember reading about vitamin supplements in Dr. Walter Willett’s book Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy so I looked it up and here’s what he had to say:

“There is no way that taking a pill can replace eating fruits and vegetables.  So far, no one has found a magic bullet that works against heart disease, cancer, and a host of other chronic diseases as well as fruits and vegetables seem to do.

This isn’t to say that vitamin and mineral supplements are worthless.  Vitamin supplements are excellent insurance.  But they aren’t a substitute for a healthy diet.”1

Here’s my take.  If you want to take a vitamin supplement, take it.  The fact of whether or not you take a supplement should not change your eating of fruits and veggies. 

Fruits and vegetables taste good and are good for us.  Eat a lot of them. 

  1. Walter C. Willett, Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating (New York: Simon and Schuster Source, 2001), 116. [↩]

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» Filed Under Fruit, Nutrition, Vegetables, healthy lifestyle

Comments

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  • http://www.fakefoodfree.com Lori

    I need to read that book. This is one of my big topics of interest. I don’t believe in dietary supplements/vitamins (unless an extreme medical condition or disease would warrant it). We’ve got to get back to real food. You simply can’t put the healthy parts in a pill and think it is going to do anything. Our bodies weren’t meant to take pills we were meant to enjoy healthy foods. Great post!

    Lori´s last blog post..I Have a Confession…

  • Blake Hagen

    @Lori I agree. Real food is the way to go. The book is a great read. I really enjoyed it and I think you would too. Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://alifelesssweet.blogspot.com/ cathy

    That DOES sound like a good book! And I completely agree with your take on supplements. Always better from real food. I think that our bodies absorb the nutrients better and in ways that we don’t fully understand (and therefor can’t duplicate with supplements).

    I do give my kids supplements. They can be such picky eaters that it gives me a little peace of mind. I always wonder if it’s worth it, though.

    cathy´s last blog post..My comments on new HFCS research

  • Blake Hagen

    @cathy Right on. Supplements can’t duplicate real foods, as much as we try to make them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

  • http://www.fithacks.com Brandon

    After my wife had a baby, she transitioned from the prescription pre-natal vitamins to simple Flintstones Chewables. I don’t know how they compare to real supplements, but I take them every night with her because I love the taste and figure that it can’t hurt :)

    Brandon´s last blog post..Instant Chocolate Cake in a Coffee Mug

  • Blake Hagen

    @Brandon Cool, I remember those. I haven’t had those in ahwile, though. :)

    Vitamins aren’t going to hurt, but I think that where the problem is when people don’t eat fruits/veggies/etc because they feel they are getting enough from their supplements.

    Hope the marathon training is going well!

  • http://marksalinas.com Mark

    Agreed! The real thing is first choice, BUT if it is not an option I believe a supplement is better then nothing. Nice post!

  • Blake Hagen

    @Mark For sure. If no other option is available then supplementation is better than nothing. Thanks!

  • http://www.myfamilydoctormag.com/blog James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.

    Foods have vitamins, minerals and combinations just not available in a pill. For instance past studies show carotene supplements just don’t do the same for the body as the real thing.
    Don’t forget your vitamin D :)

    James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.´s last blog post..Understand medical news? Put it in perspective. (Check out what I found!)

  • Blake Hagen

    @James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H. Companies that sell those supplements will never tell you that! Thanks Doctor Hubbard!

  • http://www.healthdreamer.com Ingrid Sherman

    I agree that we should eat the best food we can. I believe that the best diet is raw organic fruits and veggies. Also keep away from anything canned, processed, or white.

    The problem starts when people get aches and pains and visit their doctor. He gives them meds which just hides the problem. So at this point taking the right supplements can help the person get better, by building healthy cells. It is also a good idea to take vitamins better you get sick. It is really nutritional insurance.

  • Blake Hagen

    @Ingrid Sherman Thanks for your input.