Share
Share
Share
I appreciated your recent article Ask Science (GT, 1/5) explaining the futility of taking brain supplements to increase cognitive performance. I would love GT to do another piece examining vitamin and mineral supplements. Do people really need to take these? Although a majority of Americans use supplements, and spend about $12 billion a year on them, unless a specific supplement is prescribed for you by your M.D. (such as a folic acid for pregnant women or vitamin D for those that get no sun exposure), in almost all cases taking vitamins or minerals provide no health benefits and is a waste of money. If a person eats a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables there is no need to take supplements. Whole foods offer greater nutrition, essential fiber and protective substances that vitamins lack. Enjoy life: buy good food, not vitamins.
R. E. Rhodes
Santa Cruz
This letter does not necessarily reflect the views of Good Times.
To submit a letter to the editor of Good Times: Letters should be originalsnot copies of letters sent to other publications. Please include your name and email address to help us verify your submission (email address will not be published). Please be brief. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and to correct factual inaccuracies known to us. Send letters to [emailprotected].
Excerpt from:
Letter to the Editor: Good Food, No Vitamins - Good Times Weekly
- Dietary Supplements | National Institute on Aging [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Food fortification - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Dietary supplement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Supplements: Nutrition in a pill? - Mayo Clinic [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Food Supplements: Their Effects on the Body [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Easy Cooked Dog Food Recipe - Homemade Dog Food [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Zinc Health Professional Fact Sheet [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Dietary Supplements - Food and Drug Administration [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- MyNutriKids Healthy And Energizing Food And Supplements [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2016]
- Food Supplements - Fdevarestyrelsen [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2016]
- Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2016]
- Best Brands of Garcinia Cambogia - Food Security [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Food Supplements [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2016]
- Dietary supplements, Nutraceuticals, Functional foods ... [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Food supplements - Food Safety - European Commission [Last Updated On: November 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 12th, 2016]
- Small Animal Food & Supplements - vet-n-pet DIRECT [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- Food Research; 100% Whole Food Supplements for Healthcare ... [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Food Supplements | Maharishi Ayurveda Products [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Dietary supplements: Do they help or hurt? - Harvard Health [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2016]
- Food Supplements | European Food Safety Authority [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2016]
- Supplements - iHerb.com [Last Updated On: January 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2017]
- Herbal supplements' illegal ingredients pose health risk, experts warn - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Getting your calcium dairy vs. dietary supplements - WRVO Public Media [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Vitamin What? This Food-Based Supplement Line Might Be the Nutritional Antidote You're Looking For - MarieClaire.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Why herbal and dietary supplements cause some doctors concern - Knowridge Science Report [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Are the supplements you take killing you? - Valley News Live [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Experts reveal hidden dangers behind supplements - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Perricone MD Introduces New Supplement Collection Powered By Whole Food Nutrients - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Expert Weighs in on Nutrition Trends in 2017 - UMass Lowell [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Top dentist claims sugary foods and supplements bad for nursing home patients' teeth - Irish Mirror [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- A Supplement Company Sued Over Research It Didn't Like And Lost - Consumerist [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Borderline products: Marketing food supplements in the UK following the glucosamine case - JD Supra (press release) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Consumers at risk from drug ingredients in herbal food supplements - The Pharmaceutical Journal [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Lawmakers propose cutting state food benefit program - New Mexico Political Report [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Dietary supplement could improve heart health - Medical Xpress - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Daily vitamin D dose would prevent millions of colds - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Lafayette business accused of selling misbranded dietary ... - The Daily Advertiser [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- FTC cracks down on supplement maker that faked talk radio show - STAT [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Artefact - bespoke food supplements created by doctors and ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Vitamins have unique job within the body - The Oshkosh Northwestern [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Safely Navigating the Supplement World - USA Hockey [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Masquelier's Grape Seed Extract as a Supplement for Vascular Health - Medical News Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Ora Organic on 'Shark Tank': A Look Inside the Plant-Based Supplements - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Gut bacteria determines the beneficial impacts of soy food on heart health - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Cranberry Supplements: Not Bitter, Better - WholeFoods Magazine [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Stop Taking These 10 Vitamins and Supplements and Eat These Foods Instead - The Daily Meal [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- All Natural Supplements Pitched on Shark Tank - Ora Organic - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- RIBUS Earns Non-GMO Project Verification for Bev, Food, Pet ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- What your family needs to know about IV vitamins - Deseret News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- CRN and ACI Partner for Dietary Supplements Conference - WholeFoods Magazine [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Supplement Pitfalls Revealed by Experts - Anti Aging News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- 'Amphetamine-like substance' in supplements among 2016 food alerts - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Amazon's private label Elements expands for first time in years with invite-only vitamins and supplements - TechCrunch [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Dog show win is a win for food supplement company - WSAW [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Supplemental living - Star2.com [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Real or Synthetic: The Truth Behind Whole-Food Supplements [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- March is the month: Minnesota FoodShare Campaign makes food shelf donations go further - Southernminn.com [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Amazon's Elements brand adds vitamins, supplements - Retail Dive [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Dog show win for Rumor is a win for food supplement company - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- The Shocking Secrets Everyone Should Know About Diet Pills - Redbookmag.com (blog) [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon Launches Amazon Elements Supplements | Whole Foods ... - WholeFoods Magazine [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Shop for FOOD SUPPLEMENTS supplements - National Nutrition [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Supplements and prescriptions: a risky combination - KOLO [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- A&H recalls several dietary supplements - KLTV.com - Tyler ... - KLTV [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Insurer denying Pasco teen with life-threatening food allergy - WTSP.com [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Sports, doping and supplements: Where do authorities, clubs and leagues stand? - NutraIngredients.com [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Know your supplements unregistered brands flood markets - DAWN.com [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Fish Oil Supplements: Are They Good for Cardiovascular Health? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (blog) [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- DOD campaign guides military community on use of supplements - Robins Rev Up [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- FDA accuses Colorado Springs dietary supplement maker of ... - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- 3 Inexpensive, Protein-Rich Foods that are Way Better For You than Supplements - TheInertia.com [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Will Goop's New Vitamins Save Us All? - New York Magazine [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- What is a Nutraceutical? - TheHorse.com [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- Vitamin E, Selenium Supplements Won't Curb Men's Dementia Risk - Bloomington Pantagraph [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- Antioxidant supplements don't lower dementia risk | Reuters - Reuters [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Any five super food supplements for wellness? - The Nation Newspaper [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- How Important Is Food And Supplement Timing? - Huffington Post UK [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- The Natural Way: A few general rules foar taking food supplements - Lovely County Citizen [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Rowan: Go with your gut understanding probiotics - ReporterNews.com [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]