Taking Vitamins is harmful?
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
October 16, 2011 9:33pm CST
Taking supplements is not good after all and contrary to what we were told before by those experts in health, taking supplements can boost our health and might add years to our age. But the recent find by researchers pointing to the facts that popping vitamins may do more harm than good and there are evidence to indicate high mortality risks on women who have been taking vitamins? These findings is going to send many pharmeutical industries in deep trouble as their long dominance in holding the public trust will somehow be jeopardized as a result of this recent findings. A healthy diet might be a better way to stave off diseases than supplements.
There might be some grains of truth to the findings as researchers wouldn't make false statements without basis and risk being sued by giant pharmeutical companies. I used to be a strong believer in supplements and would faithfully take varieties of supplements in the morning but have slowly phased out some of them due to high cost and also realized that taking all these costly supplements will only produce expensive urine. What about you? What supplements have you been taking all this while?
9 people like this
25 responses
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Oct 11
I don't know where you are getting your information but I have been taking multiple vitamins for all my life. That's 60 years! Where did you come up with the high mortality rate in woman? I do believe that vitamins that are produced with waxes, sllica and such are not good for us at all. If the product had something in it that was detromental to a person, whether male or female, I would seriously think that a person whould get some kind of medical sign. I think that if people are taking too much of a certain vitamin then their body will throw it off through the urine.
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
17 Oct 11
The information comes from a study done by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Minnesota and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Most of the media reports vary significantly in their wording (suggesting that it is not a 'news agency' or 'press release' story).
Here is how the BBC published it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15238610
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
17 Oct 11
This same study also indicated that there was not necessarily a large enough sampling to demonstrate cause and effect. I take various supplements from time to time, but then I also forget. Another point that was made was that some of the supplements build up to toxic levels over time and that is part of the problem. At least two of my regular supplements were mentioned. However, I do not take mega doses of most, and I get lazy and skip it for about a week out of every month. Pharmaceuticals will actually make money if we all quit taking vitamins, because I think they keep us healthier. For instance, on the rare occasion that I have heart burn, I take papaya enzyme tablets, or drink papaya tea. Other people take proton pump inhibitors like Pepsid and Previcid or antacid medicines like Maalox. Well these medicines actually cause a rebound effect, or contain harmful things like aluminum. Papaya enzyme is much less expensive and all it does is help digest the food that is giving you trouble. I feel much better when I am taking supplements, so I do .
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Oct 11
zandi I am not stopping taking flaxseed oil amd my mulitivitamin without more proof than this as our meals here lack in enough
fruits and veggies so anm not taking chances. I feel fine and I am doing my own research before making such drastic changes. anyone can and does come out with startling health information on the net so I do not just take anyone's word for something as vital as my own health and safety.My supplements are free from my hmo so do not cost me anything.We have a partially healthy diet but not a totally heal;thy one here as these owners are ruled by greed to some extent. so we all do add to our diets as much as we can.what I have taken for many years must be pretty safe as I am now almost 85 now and healthy too.I am doing some research of my own from sites I trust like mayo clinic and webmd.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 Oct 11
I might have to do a little bit of search about flaxseed oil as it is not a common dietary supplement in my home. Being 85 and healthy is everybody's dream. Reading through your posts certainly make me think you are far younger than your recorded age. Your witty discussions are so entertaining a far cry from people of your age who are more serious in their approach.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
19 Oct 11
I have always been up and down about vitamins. I would take them everyday, then I would stop, then I would take them again. I just recently bought some one-a-day vitamins, started taking them everyday, then out of nowhere I stopped. So, I have not taken many of them through the years. I never thought they did anything. I think proper diet is the best way to go.
@clearwater18 (695)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
I don't really know about that. Haven't heard of that before. I hope that it isn't true because a lot of people really take vitamins everyday especially the kids and if it's really harmful then, I guess everyone has the right to know. I think vitamins are helpful. They help in boosting the immune system. They can help us in fighting infections. Maybe the articles you've read that points out that vitamins aren't helpful refers only when vitamins are taken in huge amounts or in huge doses because in that case, vitamins can really be toxic.
@clearwater18 (695)
• Philippines
18 Oct 11
We really have to wait for further studies of that topic because maybe that might be true. Yeah many people indeed are taking vitamins everyday. It's just okay to take vitamins just as long as you take it with the right dose.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Oct 11
Hi Zandi,seems as if u are damned if u do & damned if u don't. All these studies they do get tiresome. I hate all the contradiction w/EVERYTHING.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
17 Oct 11
Hi!
What I really believe is that habitual and extensive intake of synthetic whether it be medicine or vitamins is harmful. It will in the long run damage our kidney and liver. These pharmaceutical companies are not mindful of the damage they could bring to patients for as long as they get profit. Indeed the best way is to have a daily nutritious diet to maintain good health and also healthy lifestyle. I also believe that for those who can't really eat nutritious diet, taking all natural food supplements could be of help.
What I really believe is that habitual and extensive intake of synthetic whether it be medicine or vitamins is harmful. It will in the long run damage our kidney and liver. These pharmaceutical companies are not mindful of the damage they could bring to patients for as long as they get profit. Indeed the best way is to have a daily nutritious diet to maintain good health and also healthy lifestyle. I also believe that for those who can't really eat nutritious diet, taking all natural food supplements could be of help.
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
17 Oct 11
I heard about this report too on the news a few days ago. It really can confuse people since one minute we hear how important it is to take a multivitamin since most people don't get enough the natural way. Then we hear that you shouldn't take the vitamins. I think people should do whatever they think is best for them and their lifestyle. I take a multi every day and I have noticed two different times now that if I skip a day or two taking them, I automatically get a cold. So for me, I think taking a multi helps me stay healthier. Also my children take a children's gummy vitamin everyday since I know that they don't get enough fruit and veggies because they are such picky eaters right now. So for now this is what we'll do for our family.
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
18 Oct 11
I take Vitamin D and glucosamine. I do feel better from taking them. The glucosamine helps my joints and arthritis. I had a car accident a few years ago and ended up with a plate and 9 screws holding my foot together - along with awful pain, swelling, and arthritis. The glucosamine really helps me get moving along. The vitamin D is because I am always working and never outside so my doctor told me to take it - It seems to elevate my mood.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
17 Oct 11
Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot be totally trusted as they are made by people in factories. They are not and should never be a replacement for food. The best way to get vitamins and minerals into our bodies is to get them from the source as nature intended. Good old fashioned organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds! 
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
17 Oct 11
Realistically that is a good idea. However, not everyone can afford to buy all of the organic foods. Also a lot of children don't eat or like the amounts of fruits and vegetables they should be eating. So that is why I give my children a vitamin every morning.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
18 Oct 11
News updates like this don't surprise me at all that's because they keep on discovering something that's totally different from their previous findings. It's just like they're making a fool of everyone and nobody gets gets blamed for it. Just give it time and I'm sure another so called study will come out claiming the importance of vitamins again.
@mariahhh (1328)
• United Arab Emirates
3 Nov 11
I just could not care less about news anymore. If I read a news about food, I will find lots of negative effects of everything. First, they said that eating to much eggs is harmful for your health, then they took it back and said it actually is very healthy. They said that eating sushi, fish, and other Japanese food are harmful for our health. But see that Japanese live longer than anybody else. I love taking Vitamins. If I don't take Vitamin C, I will have a cold the next day. So taking it is a must.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
17 Oct 11
I used to take some supplements daily but stopped doing it a while back. I just don't feel the need to have to take them right now.
@derek_a (10874)
•
17 Oct 11
I do not believe this latest research. I have taken supplements for many years and have only realized better health. I had a heart attack 5 years ago, but that was due to an inherited blood condition. I had an angio-gram and was very pleasantly surprised when I was told that my arteries were in excellent condition. I believe that the vitamins I had taken had helped a condition that I already had. My father never took vitamins, and he had a heart attack at the same age as I had one, and his arteries weren't good at all.
There is a lot of hype been going around for many years about the "dangers" of taking vitamins, but I have never listened to it at all. I would say that it is always advisable to have regular medical checks though. I have a good doctor who supports me in every way.
I also practice meditation and this helps me to deal with day-to-day stress situations, so the mind plays a huge part in maintaining health and vitality. Dr. Mercola has a lot of advice on his site at www.mercola.com and I would listen to him more than what I read in the newspapers. _Derek
_Derek@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
17 Oct 11
Much of what we read online might not be factual and needs common sense to come to our own conclusion. The recent statements indicated that it affects more on women who are taking vitamins and I supposed there are certain components in these synthetic vitamins that doesn't work well on women.
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
17 Oct 11
it is too blunt just to say that taking vitamins or supplements can harm you. What supplements? What vitamins? there's just too many? I would agree a great deal if one eats well then they really shouldn't need vitamins all that much. still, there are some vitamins i wouldn't do without as well as some supplements. however, most of them i've found to be rip-offs.
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
17 Oct 11
Hi Zandi, it had been nearly 2 years i don't take lots of vitamin supplements in my daily life. I make a restriction as only to take a few vitamin supplements once a week. Most of the days of the week, i prefer to stay free from vitamin supplements. I prefer to eat a healthy diet containing lots of fruits and veggies. So far, i am feeling healthy by during that way. Besides that, i don't have to burn a big hole in my pocket every month, since the price of vitamin supplements had gone very high in my area here recently.
@Guitardude0070 (12)
• Australia
17 Oct 11
Crap i really hope thats not true. I dont think it is. Cause vitamins are really good for you and they dont make me feel bad or anything. For some reason, when somethings bad for me, even if i dont know, i can sense that its bad, it just feels wrong, wierd isnt it
