THE MYTH (LIE) ABOUT TAKING VITAMINS...
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Vitamin Myth
**Boy, it's painful when another myth gets shattered.., **especially when it's one that can be pretty costly, both for your wallet and your health. From a very young age we've been told, even lectured to by mommy and even our family physician -- take your vitamins.., and like good little sheep we followed right along with the crowd and popped one vitamin or supplement after another…
As we all know the vitamin / supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar business… And it will do or say just about anything to get your business. From promising increased energy, better mood.., even increased longevity. Don't even get me started on "dietary" supplements -- PUH-LEEEEZZZZ!
"In 1999 Hoffmann-LaRoche paid a $500 million criminal fine for leading a worldwide conspiracy to fix prices for certain vitamins." -- Bernie Sanders
First off, only about 10% of americans have a vitamin deficiency.., and most people believe that if a vitamin or supplement is on the shelves of their local grocery/drug/health food store, that it's claims must have been proven by some government, medical or health agency -- NOT. While the producers of vitamins and supplements have to follow certain "guidelines," when the FDA wanted tighter regulation on vitamins that "contained" more than 150% of the recommended daily allowance, they were shot down by congress. And when the Institute of Medicine tried to get a bill passed, giving them the power to evaluate the ingredients in supplements -- they were met with an overpowering lobby by the supplement industry.., and the bill went nowhere -- Surprise., Surprise...
Not only do these overpriced vitamins and supplements don't do what they claim.., up to 80% don't even contain ANY of the product on its label. Read that last sentence again! And some are contaminated with other plants that are not even on the label, putting you at risk if you happen to be allergic...
"For the last several years, a Mount Fuji of evidence has piled up to show that multivitamins don’t do much of anything for the health of the average person. Though less conclusive, a growing body of evidence suggests that they may even shorten your life." -- Lynn Stuart Parramore
While we know that many plants and botanicals contain health benefits, they contain those benefits in their pure form… The never-ending supply of vitamins and supplements on all those shelves are highly processed, making it practically impossible for ANY of those health benefits to be present -- you can't put it in a pill! Plus, many of these vitamins and supplements are synthetic -- that are not even recognized by human biology…
A study from Oxford University, after following 20,000 people for 5 years found that taking vitamins is a waste of time and money. While we bitch and moan (I know I do) about the outrageous cost of organic food (here in NYC people refer to Whole Foods Market as Whole Paycheck Market), we have no problem throwing money down the drain on useless supplements, when we can get all the vitamins and nutrients we need from nutrient rich organic foods. Still we spend over $21 billion dollars a year on vitamins and supplements.
Don't Believe The Hype
Even though it has gotten much harder to get our daily recommended amount of vitamins from the food we eat.., due to the nutritionally impoverished and overly processed food that is available to us, it is still the safer and wiser decision, considering if we are eating a proper diet with mostly (if not all) organic and non-processed foods.., we can get all the nutrients and vitamins our bodies need to thrive.… As a matter of fact, some of these vitamins when taken in pill form are actually doing harm… And even with the Preventive Services Task Force concluding that vitamins don’t prevent cancer or heart disease.., their business has grown by 40% since 2008…
It's a sad state of affairs when money trumps everything else -- even our damn health! Millions of people spend their hard earned cash on vitamins because they believe they will improve the quality of their lives. Some of these snake-oil salesman claim their supplements can cure cancer and alzheimers or prevent heart disease… Playing on peoples emotions and and desperation they will sell you a bill of goods, because unlike many businesses the profit margins in the supplement game -- are huge. And because they are not a "drug" (as if that really matters) they are not subject to kind of pre-release trials.
No bottle of vitamins can compete against a proper diet.., but the average american diet is sorely lacking… Most people want to eat better.., but come up with reasons why they don't -- "I can't afford it." "I don't like vegetables." Or they are just misinformed by all the false advertising the producers of these useless vitamins get away with, by spending a ton of money lobbying politicians. The people we "supposedly" vote into office… The politicians that are "supposed" to work for us.., are selling us down the road for a hefty (not even that hefty, most of these bums will take chump change) for a nice campaign donation -- what else is new!
So, before you waste your money on that bottle of multi-vitamins (they are the most useless).., you should consider the consequences and not the bogus benefits. Grabbing yourself a fresh cold pressed vegetable juice, on a daily basis.., and instead of trying to take the easy way out, take some responsibility for health -- lord knows nobody else will...
REFERENCE:
Stop Wasting Money
Vitamins and Heart Disease
Vitamins and Cancer
Deceptive Practices
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Physicians don't recommend vitamins man. Mine told me they don't do anything. Which isn't true they just don't benefit people who don't have a deficiency. However still, there is no endorsement for vitamins from physicians for the average person with an okay diet.
I've been told by more than a few doctors to take certain vitamins... I don't agree with them and choose to get my nutrients from a proper diet.
Weird. Yeah, the only reason to supplement is due to a deficiency. Which I doubt you have unless you have a digestive disorder, or terrible diet.
I some what disagree with the premise that vitamins have no value. I have used, trialled, tested and experimented with numerous vitamins and supplements to great effect for a variety for reasons like heavy metal detoxification, Pineal Gland decalcification, boosting of GSH (Liposomal), Vitamin D deficiencies and have had great effects with Collagen, R-Lipoic Acid, MSM, Colloidal Silver, Iodine and numerous others. The reality is that vitamins and other specific supplementation that are bio-available are worth taking if you have a deficiency or it is for a predetermined positive purpose like detoxification or decalcification. Does it replace a nutrient daily eating routing? No it does not however it does have its place in support when you learn what each and every supplement/vitamin does within the body and how it is best suited for your personal circumstances.
I agree that certain vitamins and supplements that are of high quality and use a process that does not strip out all the good stuff are of value especially, like you say, if someone is deficient. But what Im mainly speaking of is, the average vitamin, multi-vitamin that you find in the big chain drug stores, the ones that are widely available are of little to no use... Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it -- CHEERS!
I agree there is a lot or rubbish out there. People are also just ill-informed, distracted and need to spend more time learning what they need to do for themselves to maintain true health at a cellular level.
I haven't taken multivitamins in years, but bought a bottle of One A Day Mens Health vites recently. I don't take one a day but maybe every other day. I just looked up a lab report on them, not too terrible. :-) But I agree, get your nutrition from organic foods; best idea!
If and when I do buy a supplement it is more of an all natural thing, like deer antler or a mushroom tincture. The best places I know to go for anything that could be considered a health supplement are -- Dragon Herbs ( Ron Teeguarden ) and the Longevity Warehouse (David Wolfe). If you get a minute check those out online, the quality of there stuff is amazing. CHEERS!
The only supplement I won't go without is k2-mk4. That's because organic foods that contain it are crazy expensive and the supplement is relatively cheap (I use Carlson) and I've seen dramatic benefits after taking it after just a week and even more after a month (storm caused migraine headaches and tooth pain. Respectively)
I hear ya.., some of these organic foods are ridiculously priced. And as long as you are seeing benefits from those supplements ot sounds like a no-brainer. Cheers!
Putting money before public health.. sad truth. People often don't realize that too many vitamins may damage the body too. They only thing most people need are fresh, whole foods. Interesting read!
Thanks @amy-goodrich... It is so sad. And I totally agree, fresh whole foods like the ones you so beautifully whip-up on your blog will supply the body with everything it needs.
Thanks, @macksby for your kind words. Happy to hear that you like my recipes... next to being packed with many essential nutrients they are made with a lot of love too! Enjoy the rest of your day!
I think the best source of vitamins is from natural fruit. And such don't have any side effect
Definitely a great way to get those vitamins... CHEERS!
They do not want a healthy public. If the people were healthy, it would implode BIG PHARMA/MEDICAL models. (we can't have all those professionals walking around broke with million dollar college loans)
I hear that...
Do not buy the synthethic vitamin pills. Only buy organic natural ones. Or better, just eat and drink a lot of vitamines with fruit and vegatables. For exampl make shake of it. Taking vitamin pills should not be a subsitute for a helthy diet. By the way not only vitamins are important, also minerals. Your boy andyours organs need it. Our modern western diet is mostly rubbisch for tebody (like cola, fries and hamburgers, there is nothing useful for the body, only calories). It is just empty food for the body. And people want to compensate with swallowing vitamin pills.
I agree completely @erikbeumer!
Spot on! A swindle as old as time - you get people to believe that they are lacking something (redemption, health etc.) Then comes the inevitable 'solution' that will make it all better. Of course you gotta pay handsomely for the privilege. Waking up and seeing through that game can be very liberating. Great article :)
Some people will market anything, if they think they can make a buck!
No matter how bad tasting, the key is to chew the vitamins or supplements. Otherwise most pass through the body doing nothing.
If one's diet is terrible due to the inability to afford the proper nutrition, then vitamins help. The costs vegetables and fruit is enormous, especially if one is in the 1 percent of size, like me.
I do agree that many supplements are fake or do nothing.
There are some that really work but they are usually expensive. MLO - Muscle On Formula. I used to take it as an athlete because my daily diet required 7,200 to 9,000 calories. I inclined 545 lbs free bar, 500 bench calved and squatted a ton, my neck could withstand the 300 pound stack on a nautilus machine all day.
Testosterone boosters - no go.
Ruby Reds @rubyreds.com a dried fruit and sawdust combination that cleans out the colon. Oh after one week does it really work. by two one feels really spiffy.
Many of the herbs have a profound effect. I am talking about the herbs sold in bottles in cellulose capsules but the cellulose must ether be chewed or the herb turned into a tea. If you swallow it whole it enters the sewer system.
On the other hand, vitamin packages costing $1,800 a month are not worth it. Even if they give you a free week in Hawaii.
Taking these supplements after a severe injury, like breaking a neck and still playing sports helped both the paralysis to recover and heal. Recovery from building a foundation with 500 lb to ton or rocks was seemed to help with the injuries.
So again, I agree with you but there are some good products out there that are less expensive than food that do what they say. There are herbs that can be bought of the shelves that will cure or aid the cure of a number of very nasty diseases.
I once had a friend who came back from the Korean DMZ and then a quarantine illness struck after he arrived in the USA. He was 21, looked 80. His kidneys had failed. His body was swollen and I gave him some off the counter herbs in addition to what the doctors gave him which were forms of steroids. He walked out of the hospital two weeks later. Kidney functions restored. No kidding.
So, again, yes there is fraud and yes there are life saving products available as well.
Hey @jeff-kubitz... I agree there are some supplements out there that do as they claim.., but very few... The two places I mentioned above "Dragon Herbs" and "Longevity Warehouse" have some amazing supplements but are not the "run of the mill" vitamin or supplement you find at the local drug store. As for your colon -- just get a colonic if you need to clean yourself out -- they're great. Cheers Buddy and thanks for such a concise comment!
A colonic never really worked for me and there is no refrigeration in most big trucks which is who RubyReds were designed for. Trucks mess up your guts from all the sitting and bouncing. Fruit is good and it often rots in the a truck especially in the summer