As the song says, there “ain’t nothing like the real thing”, and the same goes for making the right food choices to get your daily dose of vitamins.
Health practitioners and dieticians alike emphasize there is no substitute for a healthy diet in which vitamins and minerals are obtained by eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
But is taking a multivitamin or a vitamin supplement a bad thing? According to the Jefferson Hospital.org, the jury is still out on making a definite statement. Overdoing anything, however, whether it’s food or synthetic vitamins is never a good idea.
While it is difficult or impossible to manufacture the ideal mixture of vitamins that nature provides, it is not always possible to get every needed vitamin and mineral from our daily food. Selectively supplementing our diets is a solution. One size, say experts, does not fit all.
For example, if your health professional suggests you are not getting enough omega 3 fatty acids through your food intake, it is likely worthwhile to take an omega 3 fatty acid supplement.
Here are two comparisons to consider according to the American Dietetic Association:
1. Vitamin supplements are limited to what is written on the label. If it lists 20 chemical isolates, that is all you get. In comparison, every whole food has thousands of different micro and macro nutrients. An orange, for example, has not only vitamin C but bioflavonoids, betacarotene, folic acid, fibre, magnesium potassium among other nutrients.
2. The body absorbs foods best. Isolates found in artificial supplements can be poorly absorbed and are often eliminated by the body before they can be used. Many isolates are not recognized by the body as food, and may even be interpreted as toxins. Certain higher quality supplements do offer superior absorption.
While it is true that some menu items provide few nutrients for the calories they pack, other foods are teeming with the vitamins you need to stay healthy–while also providing protective substances and fiber not found in supplements, according to the Mayo Clinic. Once you know which foods to fill up on and which to stay away from, you can ensure a high vitamin intake without popping pills.
If you are concerned about your vitamin intake talk to your doctor or to a dietician and find the best and most healthy way you can ensure you get the vitamins you need.
