Supplements Continue to be Under Scrutiny May 18, 2009

Check out this interesting article that summaries some of the issues in the supplement industry. The Hydroxycut incidence has created quite a stir.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/Supplements-and-DSHEA-under-mass-attack/?c=r/qtYdnCKMgDAdFAG

Just FYI I post these things about supplements not to completely bash every product. On the contrary I think many are useful and important. I take a few myself. However, there marketing and formulating strategies are deceptive and sometimes dangerous. My thinking is you should know why you are taking a supplement and as much about that product’s formulation as possible. Just be smart!

Uh Oh Hydroxycut! May 4, 2009

As of May 1st 2009, the FDA has issued a consumer warning urging consumers to discontinue their use of Hydroxycut products. “Liver injury” has been reported in several cases with some leading to serious illness and one case of death.  Hydroxycut has issued a recall of their products.

Hmmmm. I know people hate when you say it, but I have to! “I told you so!” There is no telling what is exactly in Hydroxycut or any other fat burner/diet supplement! These products WILL NOT be taken off the market until something like this happens – they have enough reported cases to cause serious concern.

So please just consider for a moment that weight loss supplements are not a safe venture for anyone! Weight loss is about blood, sweat, and tears. It takes hard work and committment, not a pill.

Wise up people and check out the story for yourself.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02006.html

Prenatal Vitamins February 2, 2009

Here’s the question for discussion: Do you really need prenatal vitamins if you consume a fairly healthy diet?

I think this is going to be a post that I continue to add to over time. I have wondered this question myself. After all, as dietitians we preach food first and supplement only when needed. I’ve asked experienced women, medical professionals, and other RD’s this question and they’ve all had different answers. This is because traditional prenatal care has always included prenatal vitamins, whether you needed them or not. Doing something other than this norm is “risky.”

The major difference between a women’s multi-vitamin and a prenatal vitamin is more iron, calcium and folic acid. The iron is to ensure adequate oxygen is being transported to your baby. Calcium is to protect the mother’s bone from becoming brittle.  Folic acid is to prevent neural tube defects in the first trimester of development.

As I researched this topic, I found that everybody has a slightly different opinion about how much you need of the 3 key nutrients listed above during pregnancy or the rest of life. Between the Harvard School of Public Health, WebMD and the Florida Dietetic Association manual there’s not a consistent answer. So I am going to write about my opinion based on the research available. I believe that every mother-to-be should listen to all professionals and make an informed decision for them self. It is also imperative to inform and discuss your thoughts/decision with your MD.

 So my opinion (or to be more specific- what I will do when I am pregnant) is to first ensure you are eating a healthy diet. I think a lot of woman assume they don’t need to worry about their food choices because they are on a prenatal vitamin. This is just not true. Food is the best way to receive your nutrients and will assure that your body will actually use them and not just urinate them out.  Therefore to get the nutrients listed above a woman should consume green leafy vegetables, a variety of produce, and/or fortified cereals to get folic acid. Three to four servings of calcium rich foods a day are imperative (dairy, soy or fortified products like OJ) to protect bones. A serving of lean protein a day will help provide the necessary iron.  And finally, since most people do not have the “prefect diet” (whatever that is) to be completely nourished at all times, I would recommend/take a supplement. The supplement you take is up to you and your doctor and should be based on your personal needs. It is better to be safe than sorry. I assure you, though, that if you are still eating a healthy diet with lots of produce and variety, you are doing the absolute best thing for you and your baby. I think it’s safe to say that you would not be over-consuming nutrients if you take an additional supplement. Just avoid “mega” vitamins (see earlier post on vitamins).

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prenatal-vitamins

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/multivitamin/index.html

Are Vitamins Worth It? March 23, 2008

I received a great question about whether multivitamins (MVI) are even worth taking because they heard they were not absorbed by the body. Generally dietitians do recommend vitamins for those who are on a restricted diet (for weight loss) or who struggle to get all the necessary nutrients through their diet for one reason or another. If I were to see you in my office I would say any general MVI will do. I do recommend looking for the US Pharmacopoeia certification on the bottle. This is a voluntary certification which the tests for purity, and it tells you the supplement does in fact contain the ingredients which it claims to have. Believe it or not, this is an issue in the supplement world. For a full list of brands with the USP certification, please visit: http://www.usp.org/USPVerified/dietarySupplements/supplements.html .

The issue of absorption is an important one for supplements because some nutrients, in excess, will just be excreted in the urine. In particular, water soluble vitamins have a limited capacity to be stored and are therefore excreted. Water soluble vitamins are vitamin C and the B complex vitamins. Some vitamins offer these nutrients in a “time released” form in hopes that you will not excrete the excess. “Mega” vitamins offers some nutrients in amounts that exceed 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). I recommend people stay away from these vitamins because vitamin toxicity is a possibility. It is also important to remember that a healthy diet will provide a substantial amount of the nutrients your body needs for good health. I see vitamins as a “safety net.”

There are a lot of specialized and high end supplements available out there that promise many wonderful things. If you are considering one of these, look for one that is supported by several clinical research studies on their particular product. To answer the original question, finding a supplement that shows it is bio-available (it is actually absorbed by the body) would be optimal. I have some personal feelings about this in particular. If you are interested in knowing about them, please post a statement below and I will respond to your email address.

In general, I think vitamins can be a healthy addition to your daily routine. As long as a supplement is generally safe and ethical (based on the above statements) then I believe they are a personal choice. If you feel a high end product is beneficial and safe then I encourage you to continue taking it. If you are happy with your store brand multivitamin, keep taking it!