We all know we can get vitamins and antioxidants in Real Food like fruits, nuts, vegetables, even meats. But instead of eating real food, many people take a vitamin pill a day and hope to keep the doctor at bay. Why?
When I say vitamin pill, I don't mean all pills such as Vitamin D or calcium to prevent osteoporosis. What I mean is the big pill marketed as Centrum or One-A-Day, which contain more than 100% RDA (recommended daily allowance) of many vitamins.
I bet many people take these multivitamin pills because somebody they know, maybe their own doctor, told them that vitamin pills are good for you, help you live longer and prevent disease. But that's complete b******t. Seriously, read on.
When I say vitamin pill, I don't mean all pills such as Vitamin D or calcium to prevent osteoporosis. What I mean is the big pill marketed as Centrum or One-A-Day, which contain more than 100% RDA (recommended daily allowance) of many vitamins.
I bet many people take these multivitamin pills because somebody they know, maybe their own doctor, told them that vitamin pills are good for you, help you live longer and prevent disease. But that's complete b******t. Seriously, read on.
It turns out that studies have shown taking large doses of vitamins in pill form is not good for you. In fact, it's bad. What do I mean bad? I mean these pills giving very high doses of certain vitamins increase your risk of developing heart disease and cancers. Surprised? Well, it's a true story.
The evidence speaks for itself, as presented in a number of recent studies mentioned by Dr. Paul A. Orfitt of the U. of Maryland in the NY Times. Read his article for details on those studies. Let me quote his most important point here:
"Nutrition experts argue that people need only the recommended daily allowance — the amount of vitamins found in a routine diet. Vitamin manufacturers argue that a regular diet doesn’t contain enough vitamins, and that more is better. Most people assume that, at the very least, excess vitamins can’t do any harm. It turns out, however, that scientists have known for years that large quantities of supplemental vitamins can be quite harmful indeed."
There you have it. Companies that make and sell vitamin pills want you to believe that your body needs as much vitamins and antioxidants as it can take, more than the RDA. Nutrition experts want you to know that your body can get all the vitamins and antioxidants it needs from Real Food. And studies show while eating Real Food improves your chances of living a healthy life, taking a multivitamin pill every day can worsen your well-being.
So bottom line: Get your vitamins and antioxidants from food, not pills. You'll get all the nutrients your body needs from Real Food.
The evidence speaks for itself, as presented in a number of recent studies mentioned by Dr. Paul A. Orfitt of the U. of Maryland in the NY Times. Read his article for details on those studies. Let me quote his most important point here:
"Nutrition experts argue that people need only the recommended daily allowance — the amount of vitamins found in a routine diet. Vitamin manufacturers argue that a regular diet doesn’t contain enough vitamins, and that more is better. Most people assume that, at the very least, excess vitamins can’t do any harm. It turns out, however, that scientists have known for years that large quantities of supplemental vitamins can be quite harmful indeed."
There you have it. Companies that make and sell vitamin pills want you to believe that your body needs as much vitamins and antioxidants as it can take, more than the RDA. Nutrition experts want you to know that your body can get all the vitamins and antioxidants it needs from Real Food. And studies show while eating Real Food improves your chances of living a healthy life, taking a multivitamin pill every day can worsen your well-being.
So bottom line: Get your vitamins and antioxidants from food, not pills. You'll get all the nutrients your body needs from Real Food.
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