Should you take vitamin and mineral supplements?
When you reach for that bottle of vitamin C or multivitamins, you might wonder how well they work or of they’re safe, but what you should actually be asking yourself is whether you even need them in the first place.
More than half of all Americans take one or more dietary supplements daily or on occasion (you may be included as well). These include vitamins, minerals or herbal supplements. Most people take them to ensure that they get enough essential nutrients and to maintain or improve their health, but the real question is, are they necessary?
It’s possible to get all the nutrients you need by eating a variety of healthy foods, so does the average “healthy” individual need to take daily vitamin and mineral supplements? The answer is still inconclusive. There are doctors that say it is entirely unnecessary and could be harmful, while there are those that advocate it.
In this discussion, you will evaluate whether a “healthy” individual (one who consumes a healthy, balanced diet; this does not include growing children, elderly individuals, pregnant women or those with specific health issues that require additional supplementation) should take vitamin/mineral supplements. Are there any instances where a healthy individual should take supplements (i.e., a daily multivitamin, vitamin C or zinc for a cold, calcium to prevent osteoporosis, coenzyme Q10 to prevent aging, and so on…)? Be sure to discuss any scientifically proven benefits of particular supplements and any supplements that may have potential side effects or negative effects. Additionally, is the body able to use supplements the same way as the nutrients derived from food? Finally, in your opinion, should a healthy individual take dietary supplements?
Be sure to back up any information you provide and to cite/reference all of your outside sources.
Eat like a pregnant woman
When a lot of women get pregnant, they often think that they’re “eating for two”. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of many, this is not the case… While it does require giving up tobacco, alcohol and caffeine (though this is still inconclusive), there are also many nutritional guidelines that pregnant women must follow.
This week, I’d like you to eat like a pregnant woman for a day, in order to see if you can follow the nutrition guidelines for pregnancy. Remember that pregnant women must do this for 38 to 40 weeks. And those of you who have children, have already been through this. Your goal is to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and over-the-counter medications and eat according to the nutritional guidelines for a pregnant woman for one day; this means selecting the most nutrient-dense choices from each food group. You should also take a basic multivitamin/mineral tablet (in place of a woman’s prenatal supplement), which will ensure that you consume the amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals recommended for pregnancy.
For your discussion, I’d like you to discuss what it was like to eat like a pregnant woman for a day. Start by discussing the nutritional needs during pregnancy. Then make a list of the foods you ate (including a quick nutritional breakdown) and explain why a pregnant woman should eat them (i.e. the nutritional benefits). Finally, make sure you discuss how you feel (remember, no caffeine, alcohol, tobacco or OTC meds) and any final thoughts.
Be sure to back up any information you provide and to cite/reference all of your outside sources.
