New Scientist: The truth about supplements

[fbirder]

Interesting article about supplements in this week's New Scientist - newscientist.com/article/mg... (Subscription required)

Their final conclusion is that most people don't need to take any supplements unless recommended by a doc. This was a very interesting paragraph...

As we age, we begin to produce less stomach acid, which can impede our ability to absorb certain nutrients from our diet. One of these is vitamin B12, used to make red blood cells, nerves and DNA. Adults over the age of 50 are therefore often deficient in this nutrient, and should either consider getting more of it from supplements or fortified foods, including some breakfast cereals.

[Frodo]

"...most people don't need to take any supplements unless recommended by a doc" well, maybe - except that most doctors don't tend to test for vitamin deficiencies and many don't know much about nutrition - I've heard them say so. I'm not sure most of them consider the aging/stomach acid/B12 connection either, or folate masking B12 deficiency etc etc.

[Marz]

anhinternational.org/2018/1...

What truth ? So with an excellent diet from childhood onwards - how come I was Deficient in VitD ? - ended up with spinal issues due to a 'normal B12 ' - had low Ferritin and Folate. Mostly this was caused by being diagnosed with Hashimotos - which trashes your ability to absorb well by lowering the metabolism ... and so this medical incompetence continues.

Correctly supplementing after testing has enabled my thyroid hormones - my own and exogenous doses - to help me restore my health.

[Nackapan in reply to Marz]

I agree. Many conditions need supplementing. Also if you on certain Meds. It is a mind field though.

Vit D I take but the best way is exposure from the sun without sunburn!

I have an excellent diet.Meat home grown veg and fruit. Stress also stops you absorbing g nutrients. Vitamin C helps you absorb iron away from caffeine drinks ect . And so on. I've been busy working out stuff for others that I slowly snd surely got in the present mess. Never had a B12 blood test before. Why oh why is it not included on health screens

[Nackapan]

Yes very interesting . Also decreasing g amounts of oestrogen doesnr help either