Multivitamin supplement is sufficient for most people

Teri Purvis of Hattiesburg has made a decision to maintain her good health by taking vitamins. She's enlisted the help of Doctor's Nutrition of Hattiesburg to determine if and what supplements her body may need.

"My mother-in-law came in and her cholesterol, liver and heart numbers were high," she said. "She's been on vitamins for a few weeks and she feels better already. I want to try to stay healthy and head off any problems early."

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According to 2004 data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of the U.S. population 2 months and older took some type of dietary supplement in the third national health and nutrition examination survey.

Though there are many vitamins and supplements on the market, experts say in most cases a multivitamin is sufficient.

"Everybody needs a good multivitamin," said Stacy Macmer, owner of The Health Hut, a vitamin and health food store in Oak Grove. "Most people are not going to get all of their nutrients from their foods."

The CDC study also showed the leading supplements were multivitamins, multivitamins plus vitamin C and vitamins C and E as a single vitamins. Other prevalent vitamins included multivitamins with iron or fluoride taken by children, iron taken by adolescent and young adult females and calcium taken by middle-aged and elderly females.

Purvis said she has always taken a multivitamin but decided a $69 full-blood panel she'll receive from Doctor's Nutrition will help better identify her exact nutritional shortfalls.

Dr. William L. Hill, a consultant for Doctor's Nutrition, also recommends a multivitamin for those who don't want a full-blood panel. However, he said people should be aware of what they are buying because many vitamins contain synthetic fillers.

"Using those is just like throwing money down the drain," he said.

Macmer agrees. The vitamins in her store have no sugar additives or fillers which makes them more effective.

Experts also advise patients to consult with their doctor about vitamins - especially if they are taking prescription medication.

Some vitamins could have a negative side effect on prescription medication, which could be dangerous, said Forrest General Hospital nutritionist Brook Oubre.

She says complete daily requirements of vitamins and nutrients come from a well-balanced diet.

"Most people don't eat well-balanced meals," she said.

Having three to four servings of vegetables, dairy products, two to three meats or meat substitutes, fruit and six to 10 servings of bread, cereals or grain can give a person most of the necessary vitamins and minerals.

"Since most Americans don't get that variety, I do usually recommend a multivitamin. That contains almost all vitamins and nutrients needed," she said.

For most, Oubre said she adds a calcium supplement. For pregnant women and those of child-bearing age, a prenatal vitamin is suggested along with folic acid.

"Folic acid is vital to the development of a baby," Oubre said. "Because most pregnancies are unplanned, women of that age taking folic acid help in the development of their child."

Oubre agreed the most common natural supplement doctors recommend is a typical cholesterol-lowering agent.

"Fish oils help cholesterol by increasing the good and lowering the bad and it helps fight heart disease," she said.

To lower cholesterol, Macmer suggests red yeast rice.

source:www.hattiesburgamerican.com