Study: Taking vitamins might cause more harm than good
Bottom Line: If you’re inclined to pop vitamin supplements daily because you’re concerned, you’re not getting enough of the good stuff from your food. I hear you, I’ve popped vitamins daily from pretty much the first time my mom introduced me to being a Flintstones's kid. I can’t speak to the validity of the Flintstones’s vitamins – though I do recall liking the taste – but we’ve had two comprehensive studies of adult vitamins in two years and the news isn’t good if you’re still popping them as an adult. According to the most recent study published by Tufts University covering 11 years and 30,000 people over the age of 20 – well, back to my headline.
Tufts study found that there was no measured benefit for adults who used a general vitamin supplement. What’s more is that to the extent there was a measured impact there was increased risk associated with too much of the non-water-soluble vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin B. But here’s the thing...they did find benefit with vitamins when they were obtained naturally through food.
On the surface it doesn’t seem to make complete sense except for the excuse that most vitamin supplements aren’t adequately absorbed by the body – which may be the case but that wouldn’t explain away the potential issue with calcium and vitamin B from those who over-dose. And here’s the thing. The is the second study in as many years that’s concluded essentially the same thing.
It’s always made the most sense that’d we’d fare best with nutrients directly from food. It’s increasingly possible that’s the only way we’ll benefit. Maybe that or perhaps we should all just try stay on Flintstones's?