Dietary Supplements Might Be Too Much Of A Good Thing [Study]

Posted: October 10, 2011

Vitamin Supplements

Taking dietary supplements to boost your intake of minerals could actually be causing harm to your body according to a study publishing in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

According to study’s findings people who take supplements tend to be more health conscience and therefore they receive more nutrients from their food then people who don’t take supplements, creating a vitamin overload.

Researches say that vitamin overloading can cause harm since certain minerals such as Iron can cause serious health problems when levels become too high.

The dietary survey examined 8,860 men and women from 2003 through 2006 and it found that men and women reported using supplements that included eight of the most important minerals; calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, copper, potassium and selenium.

The study found that women were more likely to be taking the supplements and therefore suffered the most due to negative effects of mineral overloading. One area that still seemed to be lacking for many supplement users however was calcium which regularly fell below recommended levels. The study also found that older people typically reached or exceeded their calcium levels since as they age they tend to take more supplements.

The study found that magnesium and zinc levels were above recommended upper limits, although the effects of taking too much of those minerals is still unknown.

Cheryl Rock, a nutrition researcher at the University of California, San Diego told Fox News:

“We always would hope that the people who are taking dietary supplements are the ones who need it the most, but it doesn’t seem to be true.”

Rock says in terms of over consumption:

“We have been telling people clinically for years that the daily value cut point is not your minimum requirement. Having a dietary assessment is definitely a good idea.”

Do you take vitamin supplements? If so do you find yourself eating more healthy or making up for your food choices with the addition of supplemental help.