Navigating the World of Vitamin Supplements - Are Vitamins Friend or Foe?

Vitamin supplements have become a ubiquitous presence in our lives, thanks to pervasive advertisements and social media promotions. Certain companies even reward individuals based on the volume of vitamin supplements they sell, a common practice in multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes. The opinions on vitamin supplements are as diverse as the products themselves, some experts praise them as life-savers, others deem them a waste of time, and a few caution about potential dangers, citing research that links excessive intake to an increased risk of cancer.

The prevalence of vitamin supplement consumption is staggering, with a survey in the United States revealing that a significant 86% of Americans take vitamins or supplements. While these supplements undoubtedly offer benefits, can they also pose a threat to our health?

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To comprehend the world of vitamin supplements, we must delve into their origins. In the 1750s, James Lind observed that sailors embarking on sea voyages felt weak and fatigued despite being in good health before departure. Soon, they developed bleeding gums and teeth, leading to a decrease in red blood cells and the diagnosis of scurvy. After conducting an experiment on scurvy patients, Lind theorized that the lack of fruits and vegetables caused the disease.

In the 1870s, when food and milk were cut out in the Paris siege, a lot of children died and it was visible that milk was good for children's growth. While trying to solve the compound in milk that was responsible for children's survival, they were also trying to study fruits as well. Over time, scientists found out what was missing and that was vitamins.

Vitamins are essential nutrients required in small amounts for proper bodily functions. Among them, vitamin A aids in cell growth and eyesight, the various B vitamins play crucial roles, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, vitamin D functions like a hormone regulating bone metabolism, vitamin E is another antioxidant, and vitamin K plays a vital role in blood clotting. As the body cannot produce sufficient amounts of these vitamins, they must be obtained from external sources such as food, sunlight, and gut bacteria. Consequently, scientists began artificially producing vitamins in laboratories in the 1950s, giving rise to their widespread availability.

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Initially, the demand for vitamin supplements skyrocketed, driven by a genuine desire to prevent scurvy and other deficiencies. However, the lack of regulation allowed people to consume them indiscriminately, leading to vitamin Toxicity and its associated side effects. For examplea person taking excessive vitamin C, beyond what the body can take because there is no regulation to it. Over time, it leads to kidney damage, and people begin to ask how? The answer is simple. Vitamin C can become toxic if taken in high amounts. the body converts vitamin C to oxalate which is exited via urine, but in cases where the vitamin C becomes excessive above the threshold, the oxalate starts to bind to minerals in the body, forming crystals in the kidney leading to kidney stones. Also, excessive vitamin C can lead to the accumulation of iron in the body, and when the iron is in excess, it can cause damage to other organs.

Similar to Vitamin C, toxic effects can also be observed with excessive intake of other vitamins, such as vitamin A and D. However, this does not imply that vitamin supplements are entirely detrimental. In specific cases, such as pregnant women needing vitamin B9 for embryo development and brain health, or the elderly requiring vitamin D to prevent bone fractures, supplements can be crucial.

I was talking to a nurse and she said that vitamin supplements can reduce the risk of heart disease, but numerous research have shown that vitamins do not reduce the risk of heart disease. Another study showed that excessive vitamin E supplements increase the risk of mortality. Let me say this if you believe that vitamin supplements help to stop cancer, then you better start reading more research or perform your own studies because the answer is NO. Vitamin supplements do not stop cancer and while some vitamin supplements such as vitamin A can decrease the risk of having lung cancer, they cannot stop lung cancer.

Let me conclude this post by saying, vitamin supplements are good but they can be toxic and excessive, and also, they are not miracle tablets. You know I could have just said that from the beginning and we would have been done with the post, but you wouldn't have enjoyed the long read. Keep living.

Reference

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