I have never been tempted to purchase a Reader's Digest, but the November 2007 edition perched at the grocery store checkout certainly caught my attention with the cover: "The Vitamin Hoax- 10 Not to Take." My immediate reaction was, "Must be leading people away from herbs, the usual suspects!" Curious, though, I paid $2.99 to learn what advice was being given by whom, and on whose authority the word "hoax" was applied.
Readers who know me well will not be surprised that immediately after I put away the groceries, I practically tore open the harmless-sized magazine. I was appalled by the advice. Here's the list of vitamins the writer advised against:
- Vitamin A
- Beta Carotene
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Selenium
- Folic Acid
- Niacin
- Lycopene
- Iron
- Zinc
I am still fuming over the irresponsible advice in the article, which is not a digest of anything (historically, RD published summaries of popular books). For example, numerous studies show the benefit of folic acid for improving memory in the over-60 adult population. However, since additional vitamins are likely needed to achieve benefits, various "experts" (one of whom the author quotes) believe that consumers are too uneducated to take the supplement as needed, and therefore caution against it. Diabetes, obesity, and smoking are the greatest health threats in the United States, not the use of supplements. RD has published one of the most anti-empowerment articles I've ever read.
It is not true that everyone can obtain all the nutrients they need from today's food. The reality is that no one knows how nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables really are (read the "Healthy bytes" section below), nor the optimal doses for any individual. Every person's biochemistry is unique.
In today's American lifestyles, in which fresh and prepared food can originate in countries thousands of miles away, consumers must take responsibility for their well-being by becoming informed about nutrition, food sources, and supplementation. Be wary of articles that seem sensational or prey upon fear of those just beginning to explore the vitamin sections of health food stores.