Can supplements be bad for you?

[OgNasty]

I read an article probably 2 decades ago now about a study that was done on those who use supplements (specifically vitamins) with relation to their lifespan vs those who did not take supplements.  Interestingly, the study concluded that those who took supplements actually had a shorter lifespan than those that do.  I found it interesting and while the study admittedly stated this was not to be considered evidence that supplements were bad, it was eye opening.  The thing about the study where there was controversy, was people saying that those who took supplements did so because they had health issues or an unhealthy diet, and that those were likely the underlying causes for their shortened lifespan.  One could certainly make that argument, but in the end it would appear that supplements aren't the secret to a healthy and long lasting life.  Betty White said she never ate a vegetable and lived to be 99...

[1714769987]

1714769987

[1714769987]

1714769987

[1714769987]

1714769987

[1714769987]

1714769987

[BernyJB]

~snip~

That's true, I've also read and seen myself that supplements aren't subjected to patent regulations by the National Drug Organization (the equivalent of FDA in Greece). I tend to stick to reputable brands when purchasing supplements, while also looking out for reviews, and at the same time, avoiding those "natural herbal" or whatever products, since in most cases, they are a complete waste of money.

I'm not against supplements, since I've noticed a difference myself, especially when I was an active cyclist, or when I had a deficiency in something. Certainly, a balanced diet is the key, however, I usually don't have the time or the energy to have one.

Absolutely! Implying supplements are bad just because they're largely unregulated is just as misleading as saying the opposite. Supplements "can" be good, a waste of money, or bad. There's just no guarantees about them.
A few years ago I watched a documentary in the History Channel, in which they said, at some point in time (I don't remember), they used to sell tapeworm (Taenia Saginata) segments as weight loss supplements. Now, you can argue they are, indeed, really effective for producing weight loss, but its side effects should also be considered.

In essence, it's a simple problem: one can argue against regulation all they want, but regulations are (largely) for our protection. It makes no sense (at least to me) to take the risk to go with an unregulated product, when I can get the same (or usually better) stuff by eating properly.

[Ultegra134]

I read an article probably 2 decades ago now about a study that was done on those who use supplements (specifically vitamins) with relation to their lifespan vs those who did not take supplements.  Interestingly, the study concluded that those who took supplements actually had a shorter lifespan than those that do.  I found it interesting and while the study admittedly stated this was not to be considered evidence that supplements were bad, it was eye opening.  The thing about the study where there was controversy, was people saying that those who took supplements did so because they had health issues or an unhealthy diet, and that those were likely the underlying causes for their shortened lifespan.  One could certainly make that argument, but in the end it would appear that supplements aren't the secret to a healthy and long lasting life.  Betty White said she never ate a vegetable and lived to be 99...

To be honest, that would be a pretty vague research, such results can't actually be proven, since as you can also understand, our lifespan is made up of a huge variety of reasons. Thus, it would be completely pointless to conduct such research, while recording each case would be a pain in the ass. Supplements are an easy way to boost your immune system and your stamina, especially if you're lacking time to make decent meals. However, it shouldn't replace healthy habits.

[Sayeds56]

One always have to be careful and not just go for things because they sound healthy. Vitamins are great right? But many years ago they found pounds of undigested vitamins in the gut of someone.

I think eating organic food is the best way to live a healthy life, dependence on supplements could be good in case of any health issue or you are deficient in some area despite eating balanced food, in this this case better to consult your doctor to discuss you diet plan take his advice before taking food supplementation it should not be taken regularly and diet is the best source of food to get necessary vitamins and minerals and there is no substitute of healthy and balanced food.

[iamsheikhadil]

Lots of supplements and those food alternatives can be just pure businesses who pays doctors or medical professionals to vouch for them and sometimes say positive stuffs about them which might be untrue, not against supplements, but I think it is best to eat what you can find and cook naturally in my opinion, some supplements are quite expensive as well but the nutritional value they claim to provide, you can get similar nutrients in much cheaper natural foods, fruits and vegetables

[arielbit]

I read an article probably 2 decades ago now about a study that was done on those who use supplements (specifically vitamins) with relation to their lifespan vs those who did not take supplements.  Interestingly, the study concluded that those who took supplements actually had a shorter lifespan than those that do.  I found it interesting and while the study admittedly stated this was not to be considered evidence that supplements were bad, it was eye opening.  The thing about the study where there was controversy, was people saying that those who took supplements did so because they had health issues or an unhealthy diet, and that those were likely the underlying causes for their shortened lifespan.  One could certainly make that argument, but in the end it would appear that supplements aren't the secret to a healthy and long lasting life.  Betty White said she never ate a vegetable and lived to be 99...

there are also big pharma supplements that are synthetic and actually harmful and cannot be utilized by the body.

there are a lot of gray areas in supplementation. it is not as simple as good or bad.

[Danydee]

Lots of supplements and those food alternatives can be just pure businesses who pays doctors or medical professionals to vouch for them and sometimes say positive stuffs about them which might be untrue, not against supplements, but I think it is best to eat what you can find and cook naturally in my opinion, some supplements are quite expensive as well but the nutritional value they claim to provide, you can get similar nutrients in much cheaper natural foods, fruits and vegetables

 You are 100% right, overuse them too, I mean using them regularly in a way the body doesn't necessarily need them, so regular use can get the body used to it and then it turns into an addiction where not take them can create serious side effects.

[coolcoinz]

In the US, milk is becoming less popular in favor of plant milks, and this could lead to calcium deficiency in some cases.

My daughter had a pretty delicate stomach and we expected she might be lactose intolerant, so the first idea was to switch to plant based milks, but apparently soy milk can develop allergies, so we used wheat and almond milks, but she had even bigger problems with that. It appears that she actually was allergic to soy products, not milk, and all the other plant milks have a disclaimer on the package tat they could contain small amounts of soybeans. Anyway, she drinks normal milk without problems now.

I always find it strange that as a kid I used to eat and drink all the things people these days are allergic to and all my friends did the same. We also did not use supplements at all because in the 80s and early 90s all that was recommended for children was a lot of vegetables and maybe some vitamin C and iron. Nobody used multivitamin mixes or protein supplements, not to mention all these vegan stuff and seeds like chia.

[Spontaneous]

 It depends on the dosage in every supplement they take, that could be a risk for but if in exact dosage will I assure that no harmful or any risk of our body but as I know supplement are more inorganic or natural unlike the drugs or medicine that we can buy in the pharmacy that there's a specification that can harm people.

[Danydee]

In the US, milk is becoming less popular in favor of plant milks, and this could lead to calcium deficiency in some cases.

 However for milk (in raw form),  some researchs points and indicates that very regular consommation can have harmful effects for the adults, as it's containing much of growth factors that are not indicated for a body that have finished its growing!  Also it's advised to prefer fermented milks to raw milk for those.
 
 
 Also milk is not very essential for a good calcium apport, that if you eat healthy..  So do the cow have to drink milk to provide enough calcium in the milk she produces ?

[arielbit]

In the US, milk is becoming less popular in favor of plant milks, and this could lead to calcium deficiency in some cases.

My daughter had a pretty delicate stomach and we expected she might be lactose intolerant, so the first idea was to switch to plant based milks, but apparently soy milk can develop allergies, so we used wheat and almond milks, but she had even bigger problems with that. It appears that she actually was allergic to soy products, not milk, and all the other plant milks have a disclaimer on the package tat they could contain small amounts of soybeans. Anyway, she drinks normal milk without problems now.

I always find it strange that as a kid I used to eat and drink all the things people these days are allergic to and all my friends did the same. We also did not use supplements at all because in the 80s and early 90s all that was recommended for children was a lot of vegetables and maybe some vitamin C and iron. Nobody used multivitamin mixes or protein supplements, not to mention all these vegan stuff and seeds like chia.

try probiotics, repopulate your gut with good bacteria (many strains), we depopulate them with antibiotics, i knew people who improved their gut/cured or at least there is some level of (better) tolerance to lactose..it is not just lactose but as an overall heath thing.

the good probiotics are the ones with at least 10 strains and at least 10-50 billion.

[Sayeds56]

Lots of supplements and those food alternatives can be just pure businesses who pays doctors or medical professionals to vouch for them and sometimes say positive stuffs about them which might be untrue, not against supplements, but I think it is best to eat what you can find and cook naturally in my opinion, some supplements are quite expensive as well but the nutritional value they claim to provide, you can get similar nutrients in much cheaper natural foods, fruits and vegetables

It is very interesting debate which  concerns health of every one so my input is as follows, living natural life and eating organic food is best way to live a healthy life and dependence on medicines and supplements should be minimal. I believe that if we eat balanced food which includes at least 30% vegetables and sleep at least 6 hrs at night and do exercise for 30 minutes 5 times in a week then our immunity becomes strong and our dependence on medicines and supplements can be reduced substantially.

[Sacrod]

Before we need a supplement, there must be an existing deficiency. The problem with some persons is that the supplements they consume were not recommended by medical practitioners, they only take them because others are doing the same. Speaking about vegetarianism, its by choice, I decided to be one not because I was coerced to but because I had personal reasons for being one. If you can take healthy diets, you eat whole grains, nuts, vegetables and fruits, you will need little to no supplements. Consumption of too much supplements poses one to a high health risk because they are composed of active ingredients that have strong biological effects on the body especially when you combine different forms of supplements or you take them in place of prescribed drugs.

[Ebede]

Supplement is addition of food substance because the food we eat is okay for us to survive except the person who needs supplement don't eat food that contains enough protein, mineral, calcium and carbohydrates, much of fish consumption meat millet and other food intake that contains classes of food, when eat all this constantly we don't need to eat or add supplement no matter the health status

[BADecker]

Before we need a supplement, there must be an existing deficiency. The problem with some persons is that the supplements they consume were not recommended by medical practitioners, they only take them because others are doing the same. Speaking about vegetarianism, its by choice, I decided to be one not because I was coerced to but because I had personal reasons for being one. If you can take healthy diets, you eat whole grains, nuts, vegetables and fruits, you will need little to no supplements. Consumption of too much supplements poses one to a high health risk because they are composed of active ingredients that have strong biological effects on the body especially when you combine different forms of supplements or you take them in place of prescribed drugs.

Doctors in general only receive one or two days of training about supplements. It's all about drugs for them. They don't know anything more about supplementing than a pig knows about Sunday.

[amishmanish]

Excess of supplements can lead to toxic effect also, these include conditions like hypervitaminosis due to vitamins, hemochromatosis by iron, wilson's disease by copper and so forth. The point tot noted here is  excess intake of water soluble vitamins like vitmanin B complex and Vitamin C may not cause severe problem, because they are water soluble and get excreted out in urine, However excess of fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A,D,E, K can have serious adverse effects. I hope this information will help you to choose correct supplement for yourself.