Nutrition and healthy eating

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• December 31, 2011 7:21 p.m.

  Everyone should do a little research on the lack of vitamins and minerals in our food. Farming practices (certain fertilizers inhibit a plant's ability to absorb minerals from the ground), shipping (most fruits and vegetables ripen when they are not attached to the ground), processing, and packaging all contribute to a great decrease in the amount of vitamins and minerals that actually make it into our bodies. When you add to this that the standard American diet is FAR from being "well balanced", (remember, they call it "standard" because that is the way most of us eat), most of us need to get more vitamins and minerals. I have recently started taking a vitamin and mineral supplement and I feel better and have more energy. I will never stop.

  - Greg

• May 5, 2011 6:02 p.m.

  Need your help. Read your comments on multi-vitamins. Was helpful, but much more helpful if you recommended a handful that met your requirements. There are so many products out there, that some real guidance would have been more meaningful

  - Larry

• March 16, 2011 1:24 p.m.

  I came across this Mayo article in the middle of reading the vitamin and supplements chapter in "Denialism." All right, I looked for it because of what I read. The problem is largely anecdotal "evidence" against facts. Unfortuantely Mayo gives us few of the latter. Do read "Denialism" if you care what you put in your body, and for good measure "White Coat, Black Hat" and "Our Daily Meds" for the same reason. I'm 76, a survivor of prostate and bladder cancers and down to just a multivitamin with full support of my docs. Next annual appointment I'll ask about dumping the vitamins and enjoying my healthy diet even more. Eat well, join the Y.

  - Ron

• October 3, 2010 1:52 p.m.

  This article makes no sense. I'm going to recommend everyone stick with the standard thing: eat a healthy, balanced diet, and get your vitamins that way. Taking a basic vitamin/general supplement can help supplement anything extra you're missing, but don't use it to try and fix a bad diet.

  - Matt

• September 17, 2010 12:15 p.m.

  all this is very confusing for someone who wants to know whether taking food supplements is beneficial or not. I guess that in the contemporary health care no advice is unanimously agreed upon... and people's comments make it even more confusing!

  - Toufic

• June 13, 2010 2:47 p.m.

  I know some people who sell Amway and they take a large amount of supplements (at least 20 different ones) they also propose an energy drink from that business that is loaded with B vitamins they say is needed by an elderly alzheimers relative. the energy drink is also caffeinated and they say the alzheimers patient should drink 4 per day. It doesn't make sense to me and also I think they are trying to make money off this alzheimers patient. They also have him taking ginko, Q10, Omega, Perfect Water, and a multi vitamin. Do you think this 80 year old alzheimers patient needs this, or do you think someone is selling Amway to just make money?

  - judy

• March 31, 2010 8:57 p.m.

  There is a great deal of information out there, it would be nice if we followed a more 'European' model and applauded the help these things (vitamins and herbal supplements) offer many people. Perhaps creating some jobs regulating purity and consistent dosage in the industry, but letting people decide what to put in their own bodies.Check out Pub Med, medlineplus, and other reputable websites, many libraries have well documented books of drug interactions and herbal preparations and vitamin information.. they can also help direct you to a reputable source for such information. Medical educational institutions need to embrace the helpfulness of these items and respect the differences of each persons body. Partner to help find out what works, don't condemn. There is data out there on how many persons use these things (and swear by them) yet don't tell their doctors due a perceived disrespect for their choices.....better we should all be dedicated to what works (get a good medical librarian, demand courses at medical schools, make sure you seem open minded to your patients and demand that testing on vitamins and herbal preparations be conducted). I think the 'horse is already out of the barn'.

  - Marena

• March 31, 2010 8:21 a.m.

  What the body does not need can be eliminated. Trust in the wisdom of the body - flesh is not dumb. And results have proven that treatment of desease with so-called mega vitamin therapy is an excellent modality. Now the question is: When is the Mayo Clinic coming on board an Orthomolecular Chair?

  - Sally

• March 23, 2010 8:58 a.m.

  I am a 68 yo female. Eat a healthy diet, exercise and maintain a normal weight. Never smoked, seldom drink. Taken a multi-vitamin daily since a young child. After reading your e-mail I discontinued my multiple vitamin and I have had more energy, slept better and feel wonderful. Also, there has been a royal blue ring in my toilet for months. After discontinuing the multiple vitamin, it has disappeared--pretty expensive urine I think!

  - Doris

• March 19, 2010 2:09 p.m.

  I was taking extra vitamin C along with juices that had up to 130% of the daily recommended dosage and my iron levels became worringly high.

  - Romeo

• March 19, 2010 7:01 a.m.

  You people, and the medical community in general, are ready to sound alarms, suggest dire possibilities but unwilling (unable) to offer useful directions. How about some firm suggestions supported by data. Surely there have been studies on the efficacy of multivitamins and other supplements. Yes?

  - Bob

• March 18, 2010 Noon

  I've been taking a multivitamin, 500 mg vitamin "C", "B" complex vitamins; and calcium with "D" for years. I was told vitamins "A" and "D" are stored in your body so be careful not to take more than your body needs daily. "B" vitamins are water soluble and are eliminated by your body daily. Vitamin "C" is also water soluble. Read your labels carefully. Produce that is shipped: how many vitamins are left after sitting on trucks and in a wharehouse for days? By the time it gets to a supermarket the vitamins are gone. The trick is to buy from your local farm when available. During the winter months I buy frozen vegetables and feel they are better than so called "fresh."

  - Bea

• March 17, 2010 7:06 p.m.

  I find My HMO Drs never agree that my Conditions (Side effects) caused by for Example 40mg Omeprazole Caused Rapid Heart Beat after about being on them for 2 months had to be admitted to ER and ICU to bring pulse back to Normal.Later I read the Lit given to me when I got the Med and there it was--Rapid Heart Beat as psbl Side Effect I called my Dr and he did not agree w/me that that was the Cause.About 3 weeks ago started getting severe Stomach Cramps and Vomitting - called Dr said if continues got to Urgent care and take Maalox never mentioned it could be the Omeprazole.I called Pharmacist my Symptoms listed as #1 complaint called my Gastro DR (I have Ulcers)he also did not agree it was the Omeprazole.Im about to give up on asking Drs - best to call your Pharmacist and t/w your Cab Driver. My Cab Driver told me he has been drinking Aloe Vera Juice for Ulcers and Digestive health for years and no more Stomach Distress. Went to Wall Mart bought a Gallon of Pure Aloe Vera - no sugar cut down to only 1 cap of Omeprazole and started w/4 oz of the juice in the morning or sip throughout the day as I do not like the taste but guess what it works I feel much better watch what I eat but found I can eat a Hamburger and or a spicy Burritto and no problem - have to be careful though and dont stuff myself.(Been on Aloe Vera Juice about 1 week now) Also found out some Mexican Super Mkts have the Aloe Vera Gel Or plant and you can peel it and Dice and eat like A Salad.

  - Benny Sr

• March 17, 2010 6:50 p.m.

  Alarm! Alarm! But no facts or information of substance.

  - Ron

• March 17, 2010 12:27 p.m.

  In my 20's I was a skinny malnourished woman working full time but always tired and irritable. Late 20's started taking multiple vitamins/minerals, gained to normal weight and felt 100% better. Enabled me to continue working to age 65. I'm now 74 and still living independently, driving, shopping, etc. and feel and look great! I highly recommend taking the recommended doses of vitamins for all ages. (Your body will eliminate anything you ingest not needed.)

  - Jean

• March 17, 2010 8:04 a.m.

  I currently take a daily multivitamin, 3 Niacin caps and nine (9) 1000mg Fish oil caps daily as prescribed by my Cardiologist! My previously elevated LDL cholestorel levels have dropped like a rock and are now normal. My HDL levels have risen to normal. After diagnosis of Stage 3 Folicular Lymphoma in 2003 and taking 8 rounds of Chemo (Retuxan Chop), having a heart attack in 2006 and undergoing Angioplasty and Stent implantation I can say without a doubt that taking supplements along with modifying my diet and walking has improved my health 100% and at 47 y/o I have never felt better in my life. My suggestion is to talk to your Primary Care Physician before starting any aggressive vitamin regimen but don't count out taking supplements as part of your daily overall health improvement plan. Do everything in moderation including vitamins, diet and exercise. Moderation and consistency are the keys to success in keeping healthy and staying out of the hospital. And most importantly staying alive for those we love!

  - Mark

• March 17, 2010 6:53 a.m.

  Ooo, you hit a hot button there. With all the meds that are pushed at us in this country with little or no advice for life style changes, you're telling us to beware of supplements?!!!

  - Survivor

• March 17, 2010 1:53 a.m.

  Well,i think multivitamins are helpful they have been here since long.We need to have some kind of moderation as my mother says excess of evrything is bad.

  - mrinal

• March 16, 2010 11:33 p.m.

  I've worked in medical research settings for many years and I haven't met any physicians who know much about nutrition--or are at all interested. As for "well-balanced diets", this thread-bare phrase should be put to rest. Supplements: There is so much advertising hype, and the scent of money attracts some professionals who probably know better. I take supplements and use some alternative medical treatments, but I read as much as I can about what I am doing. Good luck! You'll need it.

  - Norm

• March 16, 2010 10:38 p.m.

  Beta carotene are bad for smokers? My boyfriend smokes a ton and likes making carrot juice. This is bad?

  - Alexandra

• March 16, 2010 10:10 p.m.

  You lost me when your fist argument stated that lack of regulation means we should all be wary of supplements. I am much more wary of the pharmaceuticals that the FDA DOES regulate, which cause more mortality and adverse side effects than any vitamin. What's so outrageous is that this type of rhetoric/scare tactic still persists in the medical community, even though many comments have pointed out the obvious flaw in this rhetoric.

  - Kathleen

• March 16, 2010 6:31 p.m.

  Possibly the vitamins and supplements do not do all that we hope for. But what about prescription drugs which are ?regulated? and the list of warnings given on those regulated drugs? Frankly, I will continue to use my vitamins and supplements and avoid the prescription regulated ones!!!!!

  - Florence

• March 16, 2010 4:08 p.m.

  It seems to me that the 'attacks' against using supplements are based on two main points: 1. That the quality/predictability of the vitamin or mineral may very from manufacturer to manufacturer. To which I say: a. I guess if you buy your vitamins at a 5 & 10 cent store, expect to buy cheap products. Good companies would tend to be more predictable and dependable. b. The foods we buy at the stores would and do suffer from the same lack of dependability, as to freshness, vitality, etc. Which speaks to the sense of trying supplementation. 2. Balanced diet is the answer. What planet is this recommendation for? With greens coming from Mexico and fruits from Argentina and U. S. products heavy with unknown additives -- I mean let's get real. 3. Oh - one other 'attack' is the fear of what nutrients can do when encountering situations in our bodies... e.g. pregnancy, other drug interactions, etc. This is fear-based rhetoric. If taken seriously - -who checks what an Ibuprofen does when entering a body of a pregnant woman also taking pre-natal supplements and high blood pressure Rx? So much rhetoric -- so little real world... Reasonable supplements are health insurance premiums against the risk of life as we know it.

  - Tom

• January 29, 2010 11:55 a.m.

  To FRANK H. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU BOUGHT YOUR SUPPLEMENT in Europe. Anything that dissolves in water will be absorbed so much better than tablets. Please ***FRANK H. ***IF YOU ARE HERE, PLEASE HELP ME FIND SOME GOOD SUPPLEMENTS. Or if anyone else can help me out, I thank you in advance.

  - Sue

• January 28, 2010 2:42 p.m.

  I'm 80 yrs old - I do all my own housework, laundray, shopping and still drive. I never get colds or have I ever had a flu shot! I take a mulltiple vitamin, extra D3 and B6 plus Omega 3. Heck! I'm gonna die anyway!

  - Pat