Benefits and Ill Effects of Food Supplements
Do we need supplements? Many people take multivitamins or other supplements as part of their daily routine, but do we really need them? Health experts disagree. Many experts argue that supplements are beneficial, at least for some people, and even if you aren’t in one of the groups that will benefit, taking them won’t do you any harm. They can be thought of as a “safety net,” ensuring good nutrition. No harm There is no evidence that taking multivitamin supplements causes harm, as long as they don’t provide significantly more than the recommended intake of each nutrient. Benefits to specific groups Certain groups have been found to benefit from particular vitamin supplements—particularly A, C, and D in children, and folic acid in pregnant women. These effects don’t show up in large population studies. Acts as a backup Even healthy diets can lack one nutrient or another occasionally. Vitamin supplements may act as a “safety net,” preventing acc...