Читать книгу DASH Diet For Dummies - Sarah Samaan - Страница 25

It’s tempting to think that rather than having to bother with healthy eating, you may be able to get your nutrition from a pill or a powder. It often seems all Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but like those hapless kiddos who fell victim to the magical “three-course meal in a stick of gum,” it just doesn’t work out the way you’d think it should. You may be surprised to know that the world of supplements is largely unregulated, so manufacturers face little accountability.

Over the years, trends have come and gone for a wide variety of supplements, including vitamin E, high dose folic acid, selenium, L-arginine, and others. When put to the scientific test, these supplements and their counter-mates have often had unintended consequences, including a greater risk for certain cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Other supplements used for weight loss and energy may put you at risk for heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, and strokes. And while a multivitamin probably won’t hurt you, there’s little evidence that it will do you much good, either.

Whole foods are very different from supplements. Their natural goodness is balanced in a neat package created by Mother Nature, with literally dozens of nutrients in a single bite. Your body was designed to use foods in their natural form. By overwhelming your system with massive doses of a single substance, you may be setting yourself up for unintended consequences.

Of course, there are exceptions. For instance, many people are deficient in vitamin D, and in these cases, a supplement can be helpful. The same may apply to iron and certain B-vitamins. Your doctor can test you to see whether your levels are low. Other supplements, like fiber, can help with constipation and even lower cholesterol. And sometimes a protein shake can be a reasonable replacement for a single meal. But before you take a product’s claim on faith, check in with your doctor or a registered dietitian.