Although many people take dietary supplements in an effort to improve their health, dietary supplements may actually cause health problems. A study published in the ‘American Journal of Clinical Nutrition’ indicated that taking supplements may cause the mineral intake to be too high. Exceeding the daily recommended intake levels could be harmful to your health.
Even though many respected doctors, such as Dr. Oz, recommend vitamin supplements, researchers found that people who regularly take dietary supplements generally eat healthier and maintain healthier lifestyles than people who do not take supplements. This means that the people taking supplements are most likely to be the people who do not need them; they already get enough vitamins and minerals through their diets. Thus, the dietary supplements may lead to health problems. For example, calcium supplements have been linked to kidney stones.
People taking vitamin supplements should pay close attention to what they are eating. It may not be wise to take a multi-vitamin, when all that is needed is more vitamin C, which could come from a daily glass of orange juice. It is important to evaluate your eating habits and try to include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts in your daily diet. This will reduce the need for daily dietary supplements.
People with poor eating habits, young children, and the elderly may need to take some dietary supplements. However, it is important to discuss individual nutritional needs with a healthcare provider before taking dietary supplements. Taking too many supplements, especially minerals, may be more dangerous to health than failing to get proper nutrition.