Turning to dietary supplements to spice up your total well being? This seemingly innocent wellness pattern is now being questioned by a most cancers dietitian, who advises you to judge whether or not you actually need them or if entire meals may be a more sensible choice.
“Many people flip to dietary supplements like apple cider vinegar, collagen, pores and skin/hair/nail gummies, turmeric, and Vitamin C for fast fixes, however do you know extreme doses can do extra hurt than good?,” Nichole Andrews, a registered dietitian and nutritionist specializing in oncology, stated in a video she posted on Instagram.
“As a most cancers dietitian, I am right here to inform you that counting on dietary supplements for well being can result in imbalances and even enhance most cancers threat in some circumstances. Entire meals ought to all the time be your go-to for vitamins!,” she stated.
Andrews means that dietary supplements are basically for individuals who can’t get enough vitamins from their routine weight loss plan and she or he wouldn’t take them except really useful by a health care provider. The important thing concern she raises is the danger of consuming excessive doses of those vitamins from dietary supplements, which might be dangerous, whereas the identical vitamins are absorbed safely in smaller quantities from meals.
“I don’t take any dietary supplements except my physician recommends it, I get all my vitamins from meals. Don’t search out dietary supplements to cut back most cancers threat as a result of actually excessive doses of dietary supplements can enhance most cancers threat,” she stated in a viral video on TikTok. She additionally emphasised avoiding alcohol and processed meals to cut back the danger.
Though Andrews doesn’t pinpoint the particular dietary supplements which might be linked to most cancers, she highlights just a few that might be averted and shares suggestions for more healthy options.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules: These capsules, created from apple cider vinegar, are wealthy in antioxidants and are sometimes praised for advantages like weight reduction, lowering acid reflux disease, decreasing ldl cholesterol, and managing blood sugar ranges. Nevertheless, Andrews warns, “The excessive acidity can irritate your digestive system, and these usually are not regulated like meals and medicines.” For these looking for options, she recommends pure choices like lemon water and fermented meals akin to kimchi or sauerkraut.
2. Collagen Dietary supplements: These dietary supplements have gained recognition for his or her potential advantages, starting from constructing muscle mass and stopping bone loss to relieving joint ache and bettering pores and skin well being. Nevertheless, Andrews notes that collagen dietary supplements usually are not vital except there’s a deficiency. She additionally cautions that extreme collagen consumption can intervene with nutrient absorption. As a substitute, she suggests incorporating entire meals wealthy in collagen, akin to hen, fish, eggs, and vitamin C-packed citrus fruits and berries, into the every day routine.
3. Pores and skin/Hair/Nail Gummies: “Excessive doses of biotin may cause imbalances and intervene with lab exams. Select eggs, nuts, leafy greens, avocados, and candy potatoes for balanced nutritional vitamins,” Andrews famous.
4. Turmeric Dietary supplements: These are dietary supplements vouched for a number of well being advantages, akin to lowering irritation and bettering metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, excessive doses of turmeric can irritate the abdomen and have an effect on liver operate, Andrews famous. As a more healthy various, she suggests taking turmeric in meals and selecting wholesome fat like olive oil or coconut milk to enhance the absorption.
5. Vitamin C Dietary supplements: Identified for immune boosting advantages, many individuals take vitamin C dietary supplements to chase away chilly and flu viruses. However, taking “Over 200% of the every day worth can result in kidney stones and digestive points,” Andrews stated. “Select: Oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli for pure, balanced Vitamin C,” she added.
