According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50 percent of the US population takes some form of nutritional supplement each day, and approximately 40 percent of US adults take a daily multi-vitamin. But despite the fact that the U.S. spends close to $27 billion on supplements each year, the rates of most chronic diseases remain unchanged, while others are still on the rise.
If supplements are so good for us, why aren’t we getting healthier?
Not all vitamins are made equal. They may have “all the nutrients you need” but in insufficient quantities and poor quality. Part of the reason could be that many people mistakenly believe that a vitamin is a vitamin, and one form of a mineral is equal to any other, failing to understand the inherent differences between synthetic chemicals and whole food nutrients. Many also mistakenly use supplements as a way to avoid having to change their dietary habits. But the proof is in the pudding, as they say, because if you eat a diet consisting primarily of processed junk food, and take cheap synthetic vitamins and minerals, you’re not likely to see a major change in your health status. For example, Centrum,
Supplements should be used in addition to, NOT in place of, a sound diet. You simply cannot cover your nutritional or sins by taking a handful of supplements.
Long story short: If you buy your supplements at the “big stores” or discount places, you are likely not only not getting nutrition but also likely poisoning yourself. If you buy a one tablet a day, you are also deluding yourself you are getting quality supplements. Also, bear in mind that the price range you are looking into is not $10 per 6 months. It might be closer to $30-40 per 1-2 months.
Also, for you to get a good recommendation on exactly what supplements you need, you might need a specialized nutrition test available at Springdale Health Integrative Clinic processed by one of our lab partners. If not, you can always come to our clinic for a thorough assessment of our doctor.
