With wintertime sicknesses afloat, vitamin supplements are being passed around like candy.  The popular belief is that food in America may not provide enough vitamins to be sufficient.  On the other hand, many doctors say that taking them is a waste of time and money. Does the basic research they refer to actually support this statement? What is the most effective for good health?supplementing vitamins and minerals or getting them from food? 
With colds and sicknesses left and right this winter, I spent some time reading research published about vitamin and mineral supplements.  As a holistic doctor, I believe in solving health issues at the source of the problem, what we call the root cause.  But what if patients can?t afford to buy high quality food with enough vitamins?  Are supplements an effective way to go?  Some important research says no.
For some, this is a no brainer ? due to soil exhaustion from modern-day farming practices, American food is stripped of value.  Supplementing extra vitamins and minerals is a great way to make up for the loss.  On the other hand, primary care physicians are known to tell patients that supplements are a waste of time and money.  According to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, ?Supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults with (most) mineral or vitamin supplements has no clear benefit and might even be harmful? (1).  It looks like the public opinion is the opposite of the experts.  But who is right?  Let?s take a closer look at this research.
First of all, the studies these doctors refer to are not focusing on authentic vitamins.  The research has shown that taking vitamin E is linked to cancer.  But the vitamin E it refers to is oil-derived all-rac-alfa-tocopherol, also known as dl alfa tocopherol.  This is the synthetic version of the naturally occurring d-alfa-tocopherol.  
There are two problems with the synthetic version.  First, it doesn?t have the same makeup as the natural vitamin.  It can?t substitute for the natural vitamin because it consists of eight types of alfa, beta, gamma, etc.  If someone takes the synthetic version of the alfa tocopherol, they displace the other cancer-protective components of vitamin E, which is called gamma tocopherols.  So this can explain the research?s cancer link to vitamin E supplements. 
Second, the research suggests a recommended dosage that may not be enough to make a difference.  Vitamin supplements would be nonsensical if taken in the way they suggested; the amount given to patients in the study was inadequate. It was the equivalent of a dehydrated and thirsty person who is given a teaspoon of water and asked, ?Are you feeling better??  Obviously, the person would still be dehydrated and thirsty.  From that answer, the conclusion would be, ?We gave you water but you are still not better; therefore, water is not effective for dehydration treatment.?  The research on vitamins and supplements could be the same (3).
The studies also didn?t give enough time for the results for me to believe its accuracy.  In only two and a half years, the researchers were able to conclude with a noncompliant group of patients that vitamins and minerals are not effective in preventing heart disease (3).  But in another study to determine if statins are effective in a secondary prevention of heart disease (the 4S study), they set aside six years (5).  Two and a half years versus six years!  That is quite a difference, especially since the two studies are compared as equals.  
If you want to take supplements, here?s what you can learn from these studies:
Do not take anything without consulting with your doctor; what vitamins and minerals you are taking can make a big difference in your health, as taking the wrong supplements could be harmful.  It?s necessary to know exactly what you are taking, why, and its exact risks and benefits.
Dosage is very important.  You may be taking too low of a dose or way too much.  A doctor?s visit can help by checking blood levels to see what is necessary.
Supplements don?t need to be taken forever.  Again, this decision may not be as easy as it seems, as it should be determined and monitored by the blood levels. 
The state of your digestive system is incredibly important.  If your digestive system isn?t working properly, it can?t absorb the vitamins, minerals, or any other nutrients that you?re eating.  This issue is sometimes fairly difficult to fix, but absolutely necessary.  If you think you have digestive issues, see a doctor today to test it. Without a healthy digestive system, you cannot reliably receive any nutrients.
As for the debate on supplements versus mineral-filled food, I stand by the opinion that we all should try to get all the vitamins and minerals we can from natural foods.  But sometimes our modern food is not enough.  Despite the research, vitamin supplements should be attempted before jumping to ?synthetic conclusions.?  Talk to your doctor or stop by my office and we can test your body?s nutrients.  You may need a dietary advice to help you get your body back on track.  It is possible to identify whatever vitamins or minerals you?re not getting enough of, and if the appropriate food doesn?t change your levels, you may need to use natural vitamin supplements to get the support you need ? and track your personal levels so that the dosage is the correct one for you!
 
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1789253
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1789248
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1789250
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1767855
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7968073