Are multivitamins a waste?
More than half of the adults in the US take multivitamins daily in hopes of preventing heart disease, cancer, and even memory loss. However, in an editorial published in this week's Annals of Internal Medicine, found that taking supplements and vitamins for these reasons is unnecessary and could be dangerous. There is no evidence suggesting that taking vitamins for this reason is effective. The article, "Enough is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements," is based on three studies looking at the effects of multivitamins on preventing heart attacks and cancer, as well as improving cognitive function in men older than 65. It was also found that they do not help mortality either. The biggest problem is not the taking of the supplements but taking them in exchange for healthy eating and living habits. You cannot simply take a vitamin to make up for a lack of nutrients from a healthy diet. The vitamin and supplement industry rakes in nearly $12 billion annually, and The National Products Association stated that while not all people need a multivitamin, some do and these studies do not accurately represent the majority.
This was a shocking article. I take many vitamins a day, not to make up for a lack of nutrients but to supplement what i get naturally. I think the point is not to stop taking vitamins but to use them supplementally, not instead of. However, this controversy definitely has the potential to change to face of medicine in the coming years.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/16/health/multivitamins-studies/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
I agree, as Americans we look for the easy way out, but in this case it doesn't work like that and can end up doing more harm than good.
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