Introduction
When it comes to taking supplements, there are many reasons why people choose to do so. However, there is one reason that stands out as the worst: taking supplements to replace a healthy diet. Taking supplements as a substitute for a healthy diet is not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous. In this article, we will discuss why this is the #1 worst reason to take a supplement and what you should do instead. We will also provide some tips on how to make sure you are getting the nutrients you need from your diet.
The #1 Worst Reason to Take a Supplement
Taking supplements can be a great way to ensure that you are getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs. However, there is one very bad reason to take a supplement that you should avoid at all costs.
Eating Too Little
One of the worst reasons to take a supplement is because you are not eating enough. Taking a supplement to make up for a lack of nutrition in your diet is not a good idea. Eating a balanced diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Eating too little can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, which can have serious health consequences.
If you are not eating enough, it is important to talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to find out what you should be eating and how to make sure you are getting the nutrients your body needs. Taking a supplement should never be used as a substitute for a healthy diet.
From good skin to weight loss, there’s a supplement for almost anything and millions of Americans have been turning to them for decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 58% of U.S. adults ages 20 and over take dietary supplements. While supplements can be beneficial for vitamin deficiencies, there’s plenty of other reasons not to take them, experts say. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who share what to know before taking supplements and the worst reasons to take them. As always, please consult your physician for medical advice and before taking supplements as many can have harmful side effects and adverse interactions with medications. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of Better Than Dieting and author of Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table tells us, “Before pumping yourself with supplements you may not even need, you should take a closer look at your diet to see what may not be covered. For example, if you have osteoporosis, taking a supplement containing calcium and vitamin D could be important for you. You should also take a deeper dive into your particular medical needs instead of falling prey to advertisements or what your hairdresser might recommend for you.”
Taub-Dix says, “The worst reason to take a supplement is if you’re looking for energy. Only food can provide energy and if you’re feeling listless, take a closer look at your diet or perhaps your sleep habits.”
Dr. Jacob Hascalovici MD, PhD as the Clearing Chief Medical Officer if you use this information tells us, “More is more, we often think, and many people hold that to be true for supplements as well. After all, once you’ve passed by entire stores dedicated to supplements or seen the aisle full of them at some drugstores, you may start to wonder if you, too, could be benefiting from at least one of these many supplements on offer. So some people take them…just because. They pick one, a couple, or even more, and incorporate them into their day. However, if you’re eating and working out in a generally healthy, balanced way, you may not need those supplements. You may also be taking unnecessary health risks, since some supplements, such as St. John’s Wort can interact in a negative way with other supplements, vitamins, or medications. Additionally, not all supplements are produced according to the specific regulations or standards, and so you may be swallowing contaminants or getting a less than ideal product.”
Dr. Hascalovici shares, “For some, a supplement seems to offer the chance to make up for less-than-ideal eating habits. Maybe certain supplements, they reason, can offset fat-heavy foods that don’t contain enough vitamins and nutrients. Or maybe supplements can help ensure they’re getting everything they need. It’s a logical thought process, but researchers advise getting as much of your nutrients from natural foods as possible. So if you’re regularly eating lots of fruits and vegetables along with healthy carbs and proteins, you may just not need those supplements.”
Dr. Jacob Hascalovici states, “Supplement makers are highly motivated to convince you that you need their products, and it’s unfortunately easy for them to make broad claims about supplements’ ability to improve your health, give you more energy, make your hair shiny, and so on and so forth. It’s wise to take claims you read in advertising or infotainment with a big grain of salt – just because certain athletes, celebrities, influencers, or friends take certain supplements doesn’t mean you should, too. For one thing, supplements can be very expensive, and you may be just flushing money through yourself, essentially. For another, there are many facets of health and wellbeing, supplements being only one of them. You’re more likely to get the glowing skin, uplifted mood, or other outcomes you’re seeking if you pay attention to these other facets as well.”
Heather Newgen