Why Vitamins and Dietary Supplements Are a Waste of Money

 

Many Americans believe vitamins and dietary supplements can help fill nutritional gaps, but the latest research shows that they actually cause more harm than good. While vitamins are important, researchers have found that taking large doses of them can increase your risk of dying and cancer. This article will explain why taking multivitamins and vitamins can actually harm you. Instead of treating your ill health, you should focus on finding ways to improve your diet without using vitamin supplements.

Taking high doses of vitamin D

Many GPs prescribe vitamin D supplements, but recent research shows their effectiveness is limited. Taking vitamin D supplements may not prevent cardiovascular diseases, extend life spans, or even reduce the risk of cancer. In fact, doctors and researchers are divided on what the optimum amount of vitamin D is for most people. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, vitamin D supplements are an accepted part of mainstream medicine.

Although vitamin D levels vary in the population, most studies suggest that the optimal dosage is 800 to 1,000 units a day and 24,000 to 30,000 units a month. But recent studies have found that taking higher doses of vitamin D can be harmful, especially in older adults. A recent study of elderly Australians found that those with adequate vitamin D blood levels had a lower risk of fractures than those with low levels.

Taking multivitamins increases risk of dying

The risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer and stroke is not increased by taking a multivitamin. In fact, it may decrease your risk of death. However, there are risks associated with multivitamin use, particularly in men. The results of this study did not prove that multivitamin use increases the risk of death from these causes. The risks for multivitamin use are not associated with other factors, such as body mass index, smoking status, or a history of heart disease.

While multivitamins do help your body absorb the nutrients in food, they are not known to reduce your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. In fact, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, supplemental vitamin use does not reduce the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Neither will they prevent the most common types of cancer in men, including colon, lung and prostate cancer.

Taking dietary supplements causes more harm than good

Taking dietary supplements can provide important nutrients for our health, but there are also risks. Long-term use of certain medications can lead to clinically relevant micronutrient deficiencies. In addition, some supplements can increase the risk of cancer. It is best to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid supplements altogether. Taking more than recommended can lead to serious health risks. Byers says that it is important to find out how much you need before taking supplements.

Despite FDA regulations, many supplements do not have adequate warnings. Some supplements may contain hidden or dangerous ingredients, or they may be combined with prescription drugs. The findings are often underestimated, as many consumers are unaware of symptoms that may be related to their supplements and do not report them to their doctors. However, a large number of people may experience negative side effects even when taking a small dose of a supplement.

Taking dietary supplements increases cancer risk

Consumers are always looking for ways to reduce their risk of developing cancer. Many turn to dietary supplements as a solution. These companies even promote their products as a way to reduce cancer risk. However, the truth is a little different. In one recent study, Dr. Tim Byers, the director of cancer prevention and control at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, reviewed two decades of research and found that taking dietary supplements may increase your risk of getting cancer.

The results of the SELECT study showed that vitamin E supplementation increased the risk of prostate cancer by more than 17 percent. However, this risk remained even after the study participants stopped taking vitamin E supplements. This study has reaffirmed the dietary supplements' role in prostate cancer risk, despite the fact that men who take them continue to increase their risk. Today, men in the United States face a 16 percent lifetime risk of developing this cancer. This year, there are estimated to be 240,890 new cases of prostate cancer and 33,720 deaths from the disease.