Should I Take Vitamin Supplements?
I remember learning years ago that Vitamin C was good to fight colds. So I bought chewable tablets and starting popping them like candy.
But then I learned that any excess vitamin C may cause nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps, and your system will just flush it out. Money down the toilet – literally.
Vitamins are organic compounds needed in small quantities to sustain life. But we normally get the necessary amount from our daily diet, so I returned to getting my vitamin C from oranges and other citrus fruits, berries, and vegetables such as sweet red peppers and broccoli.
Pills and supplements should not take the role that is better delegated to food. They are supposed to “supplement” our diets. Food contains thousands of phytochemicals, fiber, and more that work together to promote good health that can’t be duplicated with a pill or a cocktail of supplements.
Looking for Vitamin A? The highest concentration of vitamin A is found in sweet potatoes.
B12? Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in beef liver, trout, salmon, and tuna.
Calcium? Plain yogurt and dark, leafy greens.
Vitamin D? Fatty fishes (like salmon and mackerel) are among the few naturally occurring dietary sources of vitamin D.
We could go through the entire alphabet of vitamins and provide lots of delicious foods that provide these vitamins. The best place to get your vitamins is from your diet.