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Dietary Supplements - Mineral and Vitamin Supplements
The Federal Government’s approach to dietary intervention, formulated by boards composed of nutrition scientist, generally does not recommend supplementing the typical American diet with vitamins or nutrients beyond the recommended daily allowances (RDAs), nor does it suggest that some foods never be eaten. In contrast, many alternative dietary approaches contend that no amount of manipulation of the typical American diet is enough to promote optimum health or prevent eventual chronic illness. These alternative approaches represent a continuum of philosophies ranging from the concept that supplementing the typical American diet somewhat beyond the RDAs is necessary to promote optimum health, to the idea that supplementation well beyond the RDAs is often required to reverse the effects of long-term deficiencies. Other approaches advocate drastic dietary modification, either eliminating or adding certain types of foods or macronutrients, to treat specific types of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Finally, there is the view that certain major staples of typical American diet, such as meat and dairy products, are basically unhealthy and should be generally avoided.
There is a growing body of data supporting the notion that the RDAs for mineral, such as calcium and magnesium, may be too low and that supplementation may be necessary to prevent the onset of chronic diseases. In addition, the RDAs for a number of vitamins and micronutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene, may not be adequate to prevent chronic illness. For example, recent studies have found that the RDA for folate may need to be doubled for women as well as men.
The above information was obtained from the NCCAM web site.
Please note that the information provided does not reflect endorsement of these therapies or recommendations for research by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), or the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It reflects a series of opinions expressed by nongovernmental participants in the Workshop on Alternative Medicine (Chantilly, Virginia, September 14-16, 1992), and is published for the purpose of furthering dialog between the alternative-complementary medicine communities and the biomedical research establishment. The NIH caution readers not to seek the therapies described herein without the consultation of a licensed healthcare provider. The NIH further cautions that many of the therapies described have not been subjected to rigorous scientific investigation to prove safety or efficacy, and many have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Useful Links and Information Resources:
What are Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)?
Adults need to increase intake of folate and women need more
New dietary requirements for calcium and related nutrients
Vitamin A can reduce complications from malaria in children.
Antioxidant Consumption and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: Emphasis on Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ß-Carotene : A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association
©1998-1999 Complemed, Inc. All rights reserved. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions .