Vitamin Supplement Health Guide

By Jack Bateman

The field of human nutrition is cluttered with controversial topics. One of the biggest controversies that persists today is the multiple vitamin supplement. Animal studies have shown for 40 years that nutritional optimization is beneficial in attaining optimal health. It has been the persistent claim of the American Medical Association over the past 30 years that only malnourished people and pregnant females need vitamin supplements. The question is: can a person optimize their nutritional intake in order to consume optimal levels of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)? To answer that question we cite a nutritional analysis of a hypothetical one day optimized menu containing the following: orange Juice, blueberries, multiple grain bread, egg, Smart Balance (a butter substitute), plantains, carrots, brown rice, black beans, roast white meat chicken, celery, broccoli, peanuts, apple juice, salmon, sweet potato, spinach, grape juice, pear, and tangerine.

The following list displays the nutritional parameters analyzed, compared to RDA values and ideal micronutrient levels (Kenneth Cooper, Kenneth Pellet) in an optimized 2000 CALORIES menu:

• CALCIUM-660mg, compared to an RDA of 1000mg
• IRON-15mg, compared to an RDA of 18mg
• ZINC-9.9mg, compared to 15mg
• Other nutritional values are within RDA values.

Interestingly, the saturated fat/monounsaturated fat/polyunsaturated fat ratio should minimally be 1/1/1, is actually 11/21/14. This ratio is consistent with the Mediterranean Diet. In the research journal article: Block, et.al. “Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users: a cross-sectional study.” Nutrition Journal. 30:12 pages. October 24, 2007, they concluded that the study group that daily consumed a broad array of vitamin/mineral and herbal supplements were more likely to have optimal blood levels of micronutrients than the unsupplemented control group. They also were less likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes. There are numerous research articles that recommend the use of multiple vitamin/mineral supplements. In all fairness there are conflicting journal articles that suggest harmful effects of supplements. The AMA is always quick to warn potential supplement users of the dangers of overdosing on the fat soluble vitamins: A, E, D, and K. They often imply that these dangers apply to all supplements.

In a study: Zhang, et.al. “Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation on anti-oxidative activity and oxidized DNA damage of lymphocytes in children”, Ahongjua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi, 26:268-72. April 26, 2005, on multiple micronutrient supplements in children, the researchers concluded that “supplementation of multiple micronutrients could effectively increase the (blood) levels of beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C and Selenium.” They also measured a significant decrease in oxidized DNA (gene damage), decreased levels of hydrogen peroxide (a natural, inadvertent oxidation byproduct of metabolism that is harmful to cells) and increased levels of glutathione peroxidase (enzyme that destroys hydrogen peroxide, thus protecting the cell). We can conclude that a multiple micronutrient supplement of the highest quality is an advisable part of any person’s nutritional regimen in order to obtain optimal health status.