Supplements

I have not come across any proof (systematic reviews and meta-data) that our soils have depleted so much that the average person cannot get enough nutrients from our foods and need to supplement.

Mineral content has fluctuated because of certain farming practices but minerals are always in their elemental form, no matter where they are. Also, the color of fruits and vegetables are related to their nutrition and phytochemical composition. The brighter the better and when in season it's the best. Yes, individual fruits and veggies when compared to each other will vary in their composition but a variety in the diet will support the uptake of whatever nutrients are needed. But I have come across several meta analyses that conclude their is no significant difference (p<.05) in groups that take dietary supplements vs those that do, and I have even found some studies that suggest their is an increased risk of certain conditions in groups who have taken supplements vs those who have not.

When it comes to dietary supplements, I support their use in clinical conditions and special populations (e.g. pregnant women and folic acid to prevent neural tube defects, elderly patients with atrophic gastritis, or patients with Short Bowel Syndrome, etc.) but I cannot say for certain that they do anything to benefit the average person anymore than improving their diets in general can help.

Moreover, water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body so we excrete the excess through our urine. A bright yellow hue in urine is Riboflavin (a B vitamin) that our bodies didn't absorb. So, most of the time people are literally flushing vitamins they have purchased (therefore their money) down the toilet.

There is also another element which makes me skeptical about supporting the regular use of vitamin and mineral supplements when we don't have a diagnosed need. That is, our enzymes and their receptors are limited. They can reach a maximum capacity and an over abundance of certain vits/mins can out-compete others. An excess of Copper can cause a Zinc deficiency, for example.

Integrative and Functional Medicine is an upcoming niche in the field of Nutrition & Dietetics. The dietetic practice group is made up of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) who work with those special populations I mentioned above and others who have genetic abnormalities that prevent them from metabolizing certain nutrients so the RDNs, with a Physician's or MD's official diagnosis, can and do provide medical nutrition therapy with the use of supplements. It's a wonderful group and the RDNs are always practicing and making recommendations on based on evidence.

"It's choosing a pomegranate over a prescription".

This is the main reason why I can support the use of supplements in some ways but in other ways, I do not support their use, especially if foods can be incorporated first.

Oh, and under the DSHEA act of '94 , dietary supplement companies were allowed the right to use certain claims (called structure function claims) so they can market their products by saying thing a like "Calcium supports bone health", (which is true) but their products and manufacturing practices are not regulated by any agency so there is no one testing what's actually in supplements. Could be Calcium, could be calcium and 12+ other ingredients that aren't conducive to bone health at all. We just don't know.

That is a risk I am not willing to take as a soon to be registered nutrition professional.