By Taylor Spooner, Reporter
Vitamins and supplements some can harm more than help–that’s the surprising finding of new scientific studies.
Defined by congress in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, a dietary supplement is a product that contains one or more dietary ingredient, is intended to be taken by the mouth and is labeled on the front panel as being a dietary supplement.
Some may help ensure that you get the right amount of essential nutrients or help promote performance if you do not consume a variety of foods.
Combining supplements and the food you eat daily makes it difficult to figure out how much you’re taking in. Taking an extra intake of supplements such as calcium can help you in the long run. However, for more vitamins, it’s not the same. Taking to much of a vitamin might seem like a good idea, but it can increase vulnerability to risks and diseases associated with it.
“Consult with your doctor on what you need more of and what you should be taking,” Barb Giese, Kaneland’s school nurse, said.
The Office of Dietary Supplements recommends to not self diagnose any health condition. It is always important to work with your health care provider before taking a supplement, especially when combining them with other foods.
Because vitamins are not intended to treat or cure a disease, manufacturers are not required to prove their product is effective. Since most vitamins are this way,it’s recommended by the ODS that supplements should not replace medications or the variety of foods important to a balance diet.
“My vitamin doesn’t make me feel any different,” Kellyn McMullan, sophomore, said.
The amount of scientific evidence for available supplements varies widely.
Scientists know that calcium and vitamin D are important for keeping bones strong and reproducing bone loss. Other supplements such as many herbal products need more study to determine their values.
“I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I still think that putting supplements with meals is important if you have a bad diet,” Cindy Miller, health teacher, said.