Image credit: Flickr by Healing and EeatingWe’re always told to take a multivitamin for every stage in our lives. Children need their Flintstones. Teenagers need more calcium. Pregnant and breastfeeding women have multis with added iron, folate and omega-3’s. Elderly people need more calcium and potassium. Why weren’t we simply born with a pill box in hand, and how in the world did people get healthy before multivitamins were concocted?
Multivitamins are absolutely unnecessary, unless you are treating a specific condition therapeutically. What is necessary, in fact, are plenty of whole, unprocessed foods, variety, sunshine, movement and happiness. The body processes food much better when clean and free of stress, anger, and negative emotions. Here are some reasons not to take multivitamins:
Multivitamins are absolutely unnecessary, unless you are treating a specific condition therapeutically. What is necessary, in fact, are plenty of whole, unprocessed foods, variety, sunshine, movement and happiness. The body processes food much better when clean and free of stress, anger, and negative emotions. Here are some reasons not to take multivitamins:
5 Lack of proof that they actually work
There is surprisingly little proof that multivitamins even prevent disease or chronic issues, which is what the taker is often attempting to do, and often spending quite a lot of money in doing so. Look to research and real, whole foods for real answers.
4 Gastrointestinal upset
Because most multis are heavily processed from non-organic substance and thrown together in an unnatural formula, the body has a hard time identifying and processing them. The random nutrients (if you can really call them that at this point) all at the same time often tend to cause stomach upset and gas.
3 Harmful ingredients
Fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E and K) should never be taken when in synthetic form – in fact nothing synthetic should ever be consumed. Fat soluble vitamins in particular can be stored in your body’s fat and organ tissue due to improper metabolization. Many multis contain an array of synthetic ingredients, and even particularly damaging ones like: Titanium Dioxide, Natural Flavors (MSG included), Methyl Paraben (Propyl Paraben), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Colors like D&C red #33, Silicon Dioxide, Talcum Powder, Pharmaceutical Glaze aka Shellac, and Povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone or PVP).
2 Worse eating habits
We all know of the idea that if you take a multi, you don’t have to worry too much about getting the nutrients in food. It’s always in the back of our mind that we have the multivitamin as insurance, but this is absolutely not true. Food contains the elements we need the most – bioavailable water, an array of nutrients in perfect combinations for absorption, phytonutrients, fiber and active enzymes. These are what will bring you health, not a multi and less-than-optimal eating.
1 Inability to self-diagnose
Although we know general age requirements for certain vitamins and minerals as we are told by the media and general research, our bodies are extremely unique. You may think you need more Vitamin D for example, when you actually don’t, which can put a burden on your body to process it. Eat fresh, whole foods as they say, and move your body, cleanse your body of waste so you can absorb nutrients more efficiently, and you should be fine. If you are concerned that you need certain vitamins and minerals, get a nutrition analysis done so you can see any actual deficiencies in your body.
The answer here is obvious. Eat the rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day, and move your body. For additional health benefits, try juicing fresh vegetables and combine your foods well for optimal digestion and nutrient assimilation. Cleansing the body will help tremendously in vibrance and ease in daily living, while protecting the organs from toxic substances, the real culprits behind chronic ailments and aging.
