Protect Your Vitamins VITAMINS DO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), consistent use of multivitamins and other key supplements can promote good health and help prevent disease. A report released by CRN found that ongoing use of multivitamins (preferably with minerals) and other single-nutrient supplements demonstrated quantifiable positive impact in areas ranging from strengthening the immune system of highly-vulnerable elderly patients, to drastically reducing the risk of neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida. The U.S. Surgeon Generals' Report (2004 ) on bone health and osteoporosis noted that getting adequate levels of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients support the body's ability to build strong bones. "The medical and scientific communities are rapidly accumulating powerful evidence about the role of nutritional supplements in both health promotion and disease prevention." -- Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., Council for Responsible Nutrition DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ... Don't panic. Science is constantly changing and evolving and oftentimes information is reported out of context. It is important to view data from new studies within the context of existing information. Unfortunately, the media often has little time to report the news and can omit essential information or may report details that would be important for the medical community but is not applicable to the general public. Don't believe everything you read and hear in the news. When you hear that you should obtain all your nutrients from food, don't assume this means you should not take vitamins. In fact, food is the ideal way to get your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. However, it is unrealistic that you will be able to do so each day. With the unpredictability of life, vitamins can provide the insurance that your body gets what it needs despite days when your diet is not perfect. BUT I HEARD IT ON THE NEWS! Recent news reports about vitamins and whether or not they offer a preventative health benefit have left many people confused about how to best protect their health. There are a number of conflicting stories about vitamins and their efficacy and it often becomes challenging to understand what this means to each individual. When faced with negative information, should you alter your vitamin supplement routine? If you quit taking supplements altogether will it cause more harm than good? Or should you ignore the information coming at you altogether? DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND It is difficult to determine which supplements are effective for the general public because each individual has their own unique lifestyle and genetic makeup. There is a wide variation in the amount of vitamins and minerals that each individual needs. The most important thing to remember when faced with negative information is: do your own research, take into consideration the source of the information (this news often emanates from a source who has a vested interest in steering you away from your normal vitamin routine) then discuss your concerns with a physician or qualified medical professional. Vitamins are not a cure-all and legitimate companies do not market them as such. Vitamin and mineral supplements are preventative tools taken to compensate for dietary imbalances and it often take years to reap the benefits.