No folks this is not a blog on the technicalities of supplements, vitamins, and minerals. Just some thoughts about them.
It is an amazing billion dollar industry. There of course many reasons to take supplements and some are very important for many reasons---
But what is interesting is that with taking supplements there are some interesting things I have observed.
People think that supplements can be the be all and end all of everything. They are advertised to do so many things ---and some of them do help yet people have an illusion about them.
If this were not the case then why do people come in sometimes with bags and suitcases filled with various pills?--many bottles unused or half used?
People think they can take many tablets and capsules, because they think that one type of capsule will help various issues but then overwhelm starts because they think they need a different supplement for every type of issues and problem or preventive medicine factor that is often part of the supplements marketing and advertising.
So it becomes a messy soup of many supplements as ingredients in a stewing pot that people take and where there are often unclear results. People think they feel better but how can one really tell?
The other interesting thing is that many do not consult anyone when they take them. They spend hundreds to thousands of dollars each month---and yet often they go by advertising and what reps in grocery stores tell them. Ever notice that the grocery store reps ask us if we need help in the supplement section do not do this in other sections of the store because there is a lot of money to be made in the supplement section....many do not regularly consult a holistic physician about their use, crying poverty or not wanting to pay a fee or charge for regular visits to help them balance, educate and maintain their health through supplements. Yet people will pay $500 for their shoes but any kind of Self-help is often expected for free.
Often it is touted that supplements, vitamins and minerals are needed because our foods are depleted of nutrients or that we are eating processed foods that are nutrient depleted and contain high amounts of corn syrup and other ingredients.
This may be so, so for some people they buy many different vitamins supplements and other nutrients at high costs but then do not necessarily invest on healthier eating.
I feel what is important is to still derive nutrients from the natural synergy of fruits and vegetables. The art of blending colors through juices, raw foods and steamed and cooked foods is what we need more focus on.
Many supplements go unopened and wasted. There are many with pills and capsules lying around because a resistance develops to taking all these things all the time in varying quantities and types. We just can so much and yet many dollars are spent thinking that a certain pill will an enormous impact when in fact it is the synergy of many nutrients along with our lifestyle that is key to optimal health.
And so the ongoing saga goes on. Perhaps as learn to go back to nature for the answers we do not have to reach into our pocket book as much...
Dr. R
