YOU may be risking your health if you believe the old myths that assert that you do not need to take dietary supplements if you eat "properly", that is, if you eat what is commonly called a "balanced diet". If we lived in a stress-free, pollution-free world where our food was consumed fresh and unprocessed and our air and water supplies were contaminant-free, then we probably wouldn't.

The American Medical Association recently recommended that each individual should take a daily multivitamin. I will admit that there are some persons who are not in agreement with this recommendation, but thankfully these individuals are in the minority.

Fact is, medicine is changing. Doctors are becoming more interested in the use of high-dose dietary supplements in the treatment and prevention of disease. It is not unusual for some doctors to take supplements, even though they may not be recommending them to their patients.

Sometimes antagonists to the use of dietary supplements claim that the extra nutrients actually just become "expensive urine" because extra amounts of most vitamins are excreted via the kidneys. The issue here is not the ultimate fate of the supplements, but what they do as they pass through the body. Numerous studies have demonstrated the value of supplements.

For example, research conducted by the United States-based Lewin Group in 2005 revealed that taking certain dietary supplements could help elderly adults live independently for much longer, thus saving billions in healthcare expenses. This particular study examined whether omega 3 fatty acids might help prevent coronary heart disease and analysed the impact of lutein and zeaxanthin on averting age-related macular degeneration.

The Lewin group estimated that a daily intake of 1800mg of omega 3 fatty acids by seniors over age 65 years could prevent almost 400,000 coronary heart disease-related physician visits and hospitalisations over the course of five years. This would lead to savings of over $3.1 billion. The study also estimated that daily intake of six to 10 mg of lutein with zeaxanthin could help almost 100,000 adults avoid becoming more dependent on others, as a result of vision loss from macular degeneration over the course of five years. This would lead to savings of $2.5 billion.

There are approximately 50 known essential nutrients - these include vitamins, essential fatty acids, minerals and amino acids. These nutrients must be obtained from the diet or from supplements in order to maintain minimal health and to prevent deficiency diseases such as scurvy, pellagra and beri-beri. Deficiency diseases are not common in the Western world. What is more common is marginal nutrition. An individual may get enough Vitamin C to prevent scurvy, but not enough to have a vigorous immune system or optimal health.

There are a number of "conditionally-essential nutrients" found in food, but they are not essential because the body is capable of manufacturing them from other substances. The amount manufactured is at times inadequate for optimal health and so supplementation is essential for the prevention or treatment of diseases. These nutrients include, among others, L-arginine, L-glutamine and coenzyme Q10 .

Some substances found in the food supply are not considered essential, but offer important health benefits such as prevention of premature ageing and degenerative diseases. These substances include the flavonoids. So far, 5,000 different types of flavonoids have been identified; of these about 100 have been shown to have biological effects in humans.

These are called bioflavonoids. Several bioflavonoids, including quercetin, cathechin, and hespiridin, have scientific research backing their health benefits.
But still the question is asked: "Why do I need to take supplements?" In order to answer the question we need to explore a number of factors.

Environment

We live in a poor quality environment. Our bodies have a heavy toxic burden to bear in the form of toxins in food, air and water. There are other toxins - cigarette smoke; aluminium; heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury; carbon monoxide and lead from fuel exhaust; hydrocarbon pollutants from industrial waste; radon (there are high levels in Manchester and St Elizabeth, especially in the bauxite/red mud areas).

Most pollutants lead to an increase of free radicals. These high-energy molecular fragments can damage tissues and lead to premature ageing, heart disease and cancer. Environmental problems increase the need for nutrients. Supplements can help to control the damage caused by exposure to toxins.

Destructive agricultural practices

Some agricultural soils are deficient in trace elements. Decades of intensive agriculture can overwork and deplete soils, unless all the soil nutrients, including trace elements are replaced on a regular basis. In the United States of America, in particular some Northeastern states, the soil has a very low selenium content. Selenium is important for protection from cancer and heart disease. Research has demonstrated that people living in regions with low soil selenium have a higher risk of cancer.

Foods are often reaped before they are ripe and allowed to ripen while in transit, at the market or during home storage. They will not then acquire their full complement of vitamins and minerals, which frequently increase greatly during the later stages of growth. Nutrients deteriorate during transportation and storage of foods. Vegetables and fruits can lose significant amounts of Vitamin C after three days in cold storage; more nutrients are lost at room temperature. Commercial fruits and vegetables are frequently sprayed with pesticides. These are harmful and are capable of accumulating in body fat.

Poor digestion

Inefficient digestion can limit the body's intake of vitamins. Some common causes include fast eating and inadequate chewing. Both of these result in larger than normal food particle size. This further results in incomplete action of the digestive enzymes. Also many persons who wear dentures are unable to chew as efficiently as those who have their own teeth.

Food allergies

The omission of whole food groups from the diet, which occurs in individuals with allergies to gluten or lactose, can result in the loss of significant dietary sources of thiamine, riboflavin or calcium.

Stress

Stress, whether physical, emotional or due to illness or injury, depletes the body of the B Vitamins, zinc and Vitamin C.
Genetic make-up, health history, alcohol consumption, smoking and medications are other factors that interfere with the body's nutrient supply.

It is important to understand that supplementation must be a part of a comprehensive health programme. A total approach would also include a healthy diet, regular exercise and stress management.

Dr Jacqueline E Campbell is a family physician in private practice. E-mail comments to drjcampbell14@yahoo.com.
© Dr Jacqueline Campbell

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