Do supplements really have any benefits?

Many people use supplements to compensate for their nutritional deficiencies, either because they are so busy with work or other tasks that they are unable to eat a satisfying meal, or because they satisfy their hunger with instant foods that can be prepared in one hand. Nutrition experts at Johns Hopkins University answered questions such as whether these supplements really have any benefits and how cost-effective they are.

Is There Really Any Benefit to Multivitamins? | Johns Hopkins Medicine

The experts' argument is simple: Money spent on supplements would be better spent on nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. However, some people might think that if they could do that, they wouldn't even bother with supplements in the first place.

According to Dr. Larry Appel of Johns Hopkins University, supplements are not a shortcut to improving health or preventing chronic disease, but rather, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. , the most important thing to do is to reduce the amount of sugar. However, folic acid supplements taken by women who may become pregnant are an exception, and it is explained that folic acid taken before and during the early stages of pregnancy can prevent neural tube defects in the baby.

As for other people taking supplements, Dr. Appel dismisses, saying, 'I don't recommend other supplements. If you have a healthy diet, you can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from food.' He urged people to eat healthy foods instead of spending expensive money on supplements.

Previous research has shown that supplements, especially multivitamins, do not have a positive effect on health, and that consuming too much of certain nutrients has been linked to an increased risk of death. .

Research results show that supplements do not provide adequate nutrients and may increase the risk of death if taken in excess - GIGAZINE

by Bru-nO

Another study found that there was no evidence that multivitamins reduced the risk of heart disease or cancer, and a study that tracked multivitamin use over a 12-year period found that ``multivitamins are associated with decreased memory and slowed thinking.'' The results also show that there is no reduction in risk.

These cases led experts to recommend eating plenty of vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and protein instead of supplements.

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