Vitamin and mineral supplementation
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2003 2:20 am
Hi Gail,
The issue of vitamin and mineral supplementation is one close to home
for me. Like others on the list, I prefer to get my nutrition directly
from food rather than from concentrated supplements. However, last year
I developed a dramatic B-12 deficiency while following a mostly raw,
vegan diet, and had to resort to taking a daily oral B-12 supplement.
Even when I returned to eating a more moderate diet with some animal
products, my B-12 level would not maintain, so I continue to take the
supplement. This occurred despite years of constitutional homeopathic
treatment by an internationally respected homeopath.
I personally think the devitalization and adulteration of our food
supply has a tremendous negative effect on health and always needs to be
considered. I encourage my patients to eat as much organically-grown,
nutrient-dense food as possible, and to avoid processed food, artificial
sweeteners, etc. When people have an obviously unhealthy eating style
and are not willing to change, I sometimes recommend a basic supplement
program to cover expected deficiencies. However, no diet or supplement
program is appropriate for everyone so, as always, individualization of
treatment applies.
The mega-vitamin approach taken by some holistic health practitioners
appears to be helpful in some cases of severe pathology, but I think it
is too extreme (not to mention expensive) for general use. Also, high
doses of supplements may confuse the symptom picture much like
pharmaceuticals.
If you are eating a diet that excludes dairy and are concerned about
inadequate nutrients, I think you are wise to consider supplementation.
Best regards,
Arlene
gailz059 wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The issue of vitamin and mineral supplementation is one close to home
for me. Like others on the list, I prefer to get my nutrition directly
from food rather than from concentrated supplements. However, last year
I developed a dramatic B-12 deficiency while following a mostly raw,
vegan diet, and had to resort to taking a daily oral B-12 supplement.
Even when I returned to eating a more moderate diet with some animal
products, my B-12 level would not maintain, so I continue to take the
supplement. This occurred despite years of constitutional homeopathic
treatment by an internationally respected homeopath.
I personally think the devitalization and adulteration of our food
supply has a tremendous negative effect on health and always needs to be
considered. I encourage my patients to eat as much organically-grown,
nutrient-dense food as possible, and to avoid processed food, artificial
sweeteners, etc. When people have an obviously unhealthy eating style
and are not willing to change, I sometimes recommend a basic supplement
program to cover expected deficiencies. However, no diet or supplement
program is appropriate for everyone so, as always, individualization of
treatment applies.
The mega-vitamin approach taken by some holistic health practitioners
appears to be helpful in some cases of severe pathology, but I think it
is too extreme (not to mention expensive) for general use. Also, high
doses of supplements may confuse the symptom picture much like
pharmaceuticals.
If you are eating a diet that excludes dairy and are concerned about
inadequate nutrients, I think you are wise to consider supplementation.
Best regards,
Arlene
gailz059 wrote:
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]