In this column, she states, "my love affair with vitamins and supplements is over. With some exceptions, they are being tossed out." She goes on to describe how studies on Vitamins C, E and beta carotene had great press and promises, but scientific studies failed to show these promises could be kept. This is important, because it is based upon "anecdotal information" (my friends take it and swear by it) that people make their choices."

I discussed this particular issue with my students, especially the weight-lifters taking powdered supplements to build muscle or some such claim. When I asked them WHY they spent all this money on powders and pills, they replied "because my trainer said it works" or "everyone at the gym takes them, and they said their workouts are much better." I then ask these same students what they think happened to the folks for whom the supplements did not result in a better workout. They don't know, but I do-and I tell them. They stopped coming to the gym because they realized the pills didn't work. They found it easier to go somewhere else than work out with people who had bought into the myth of strength building supplements. This comes as a surprise to my students, who then begin to understand that this could, indeed, be true. Now I have the chance to help them understand their "data" is biased, and cannot be supported by their information research methods." The "research" upon which their conclusions are based is faulty). Do they stop taking the pills? Most like not. But maybe, just maybe, some of them will begin to realize they can become healthy, strong individuals by choosing real food over tasteless powders.

Strength training pills aside, please understand all is not lost. Throwing away your vitamin and mineral supplements is not the end of the world. Pills are not the most effective way for your body to get the nutrients you need. Unfortunately people think that when they take a pill, they don't have to eat food. What you need to remember is that these pills are SUPPLEMENTS. They are supposed to supplement your diet, not REPLACE good eating. I have a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement I (try to remember to) take regularly. I suppose I take them as insurance. Also, they give me peace of mind, meaning I feel better because I think I'm doing my body a favor. I do apply this line of thinking by giving my college son generic vitamins to take with him to school. Does he take them? I have no idea. But I certainly feel better knowing he has them!

On a more serious note, you need to understand that your body is uniquely designed to work best with whole foods. For example, when you take a vitamin C pill, that is all you are giving your body-ascorbic acid (the chemical name for vitamin C). Eating an orange supplies you with other nutrients, including potassium, water, and bioflavonoids, plant chemicals that may help your body absorb vitamin C more efficiently.

So I absolutely agree with Judy Foreman. Toss out those supplements that have "magic" claims. Instead of supplements, buy whole foods. It's what your body is designed to process.

Imagine what you can do with the money you'll save. Your body, and your wallet, will thank you

Copyright (c) 2008 At Peace With Food