Vitamin Debate

Questions about the Vitamin Debate Answered

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The vitamin and supplement industry has always been under careful scrutiny by physicians and medical professionals. There is a constant struggle to use more natural therapies to both prevent and cure many chronic diseases due to medical professionals’ skepticism stemming from the lack of regulation and quality control in the industry. This article aims to illuminate the truths in the vitamin debate from both sides of the argument. It aims to pinpoint the justifiable concerns from the medical field and critically analyzes viewpoints to give the most evidence-based conclusions.

Issue #1: Is there enough data to prove the efficacy of vitamins and medical foods in preventing and treating diseases?

There is already an abundance of peer-reviewed scientific research that emphasizes the benefits of using nutrition to optimize health, to ameliorate symptoms of existing conditions and to prevent the on-set of chronic diseases. These articles are cited in many scientific articles, including Science, Nature, Nutrition and Disease, Nutritional Neuroscience and many more. PubMed has an excellent database of research articles for reference. Check out the “What’s New” content for recent breakthroughs in the nutrition community.

Issue #2: Is the governing law Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) sufficient in regulating dietary supplements?

Under FDA regulations written in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 21 CFR part 111, all domestic and foreign companies that manufacture, package, label or hold dietary supplement, including those involved with testing, quality control, and dietary supplement distribution in the U.S., must comply with the Dietary Supplement Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) for quality control.

Although manufacturers have to adhere to rules that govern cGMP, the regulations are not strict enough to ensure the quality of content in every single pill in a vitamin bottle. However, more reputable manufacturers opt for more detailed quality assurance audits offered by external third parties that ensure the best quality control methods.

Issue #3: Are megavitamins (vitamins that contain doses way exceeding RDA) dangerous to take?

Some megavitamins are dangerous to take without a health practitioner’s recommendations because they build up in the body in toxic levels when the body does not have an efficient way of excreting them. Some examples are vitamin A, D, E, K, calcium and iron. However, for dietary supplements to be effective in promoting maximal health, they have to be at levels much higher than the RDA to confer potent effects.

Afterword:

At David Allen Nutrition, we take a truly evidence-based approach to help our clients because we order detailed tests prior to giving supplement recommendations to figure out the level at which you stand currently. If your vitamin D level is already optimal, we investigate into other areas where you can improve on. This way, we can recommend a dosage that is just appropriate for you. The unique tailoring of dietary supplemental therapies is why we are at the epitome of personalized nutrition to help you achieve your full potential.