Supplements or nutrients from food? Although supplements contain some of the missing nutrients a person needs, it was discovered that they could potentially increase the risk of death.
Sometimes it is necessary to consume supplements; however, you should consult a doctor before deciding which one to buy. Experts can ensure the balance between supplements, nutrients from food, and other medications you may take. Mixing them is harmful to the body and can put your life in danger.
Supplements can consist of vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes. They come in many forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids to accommodate each person. Most of them contain calcium, fish oil, and vitamin D.
Supplements vs. nutrients from food
What supplement proprieties are harmful, and which one help? The latest study reveals the downside as well as the good side of their use.
“As potential benefits and harms of supplement use continue to be studied, some studies have found associations between excess nutrient intake and adverse outcomes, including increased risk of certain cancers,” says senior study author Fang Fang Zhang, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
The study shows that multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C don’t lower the risk of cardiovascular or premature death. On the other hand, folic acid might help reducing heart problems. It may have the same outcome in combination with vitamin B.
Another team of researchers have studied the association between mortality in the U.S and supplements. Run by a team from Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Medford, MA, the study was based on more than 27,000 U.S. citizens.
Experts have managed to calculate the daily supplement dose and therefore reached some interesting conclusions. If a person gets enough Vitamin A, K, zinc, and magnesium from food, it could reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and death in general. A surplus of calcium could increase the risk of cancer deaths. A surplus of calcium from supplements is also linked to a higher risk of cancer death if the person had 1,000mg per day.