In recent years, the vitamin supplement business has turned into a multi-billion dollar a year phenomenon that has completely drawn the attention of the public and the media. There have been ongoing debates regarding the benefits of taking different vitamin supplements, and it seems that every day there is a new claim that taking some supplement will lower your risk of developing cancer or heart disease. As a result, many Americans are taking supplements left and right, thinking that they are making themselves healthier and less prone to developing these life threatening diseases. How do we know if there is any truth behind these claims? There have been arguments made both encouraging and discouraging supplement intake.
On the Nutritional Supplements Health Guide online, an article entitled "Nutritional Supplements: Yes, You Really Do Need Them! Here's Why" strongly supports the incorporation of nutritional supplements into ones everyday routine. This article explains that although someone may feel healthy without taking supplements, once a problem arises that person looks for a supplements to cure whatever sickness, aging, or weakness that they're experiencing. It then goes on to tell us that it is nearly impossible to maintain an nutritionally balanced diet in today's society. Along with our fast paced lifestyle comes lots of processed and fast food that isn't necessarily nutrient dense, and for these reasons, this article argues that nutritional supplements are the only way to help get the necessary vitamins and minerals that lots of us are lacking in our daily diets. Arguments are made stating that the intake of a good dietary supplement will help you overcome nutrient deficiencies, boost your immune system, minimize your risk for developing certain health problems such as heart disease and cancer, and get rid of toxins that we take in every day from processed and fast food sources.
Contrasting these ideas, the article entitled "Do You Need a Vitamin Supplement?" explains that we don't necessarily need to take a nutritional supplement. The author states that popping vitamins left and right isn't really beneficial. If water soluble vitamins (B and C) are taken in excess, whatever is not used is just excreted from our systems. Excess fat soluble vitamins (A, K, D, and E) are stored in the liver, and too much of these vitamins built up in our livers could lead to toxic results. Additionally, with some vitamins, a deficiency is rare. Having too much of these vitamins, or any vitamin, is not good for ones body. It is also pointed out that it is important to remember that nutritional supplements are made of synthetic, man-made materials, and may not be as beneficial as naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in food.
After reading both of these articles, it is clear that there are strong arguments made for both sides of this debate. It is hard to say which article is more convincing because both make some very good points supporting their side of the argument. If I had to choose one article to agree with I would probably choose the second article. Although it is clear that nutritional supplements may indeed be necessary for some people, I agree that taking more vitamins means that you're healthier than someone that isn't taking as many vitamins. I have always been skeptical of nutritional supplements and whether or not they are actually beneficial, and my views have always tended to agree with the second articles' arguments. I believe that although it is necessary to get sufficient amounts of all of our vitamins and minerals, and that it is relatively difficult for us to do that these days with all of the processed foods on the market, I don't think that taking an absurd amount of vitamin supplements is the best way to get those vitamins and minerals.
No comments:
Post a Comment