Vitamins Are Deadly

Millions of Americans take various multivitamins everyday unaware of the risks. Not only are vitamins scientifically proven to commonly do more harm than good, including small but essentially harmless side effects such as stomach ache, and fever among other things. Multivitamins have no positive effects on preventing cancer and in some cases may even cause disease or cancer. That’s saying something especially because multivitamins are obviously supposed to be helping.

Doing more harm than good is what’s used to describe vitamins and I believe that’s an understatement. Calcium, for example, is one of the most common supplements taken daily. Calcium is an essential nutrient for your body and it helps build strong bones. In an article called, ‘Are You Taking Too Much Calcium, A or D?’ by Dr. Melissa Young some vital information about negative effects of multivitamins were revealed. Dr. Young from the center for integrative medicine did a specific study on calcium and the results are disturbing.“More and more studies are showing increased risks for heart attack and stroke among men and women taking calcium 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams (mg) per day as directed,” says Dr. Young. Heart attacks and strokes are among the leading causes of death among Americans and a simple multivitamin may be helping cause them.

Another way multivitamins can be harmful is when people continue to take synthetic versions rather than the natural version. This commonly happens with vitamin D.Vitamin D in it’s natural form strengthens the immune system and boosts immunity which can be very helpful. Although when you take the synthetic version it actually causes muscle pain, mood disorders, abdominal pain and kidney stones. It may also increase risk for heart attack and stroke. So here we are, back to having heart attack and strokes from multivitamins. “Most reports of toxicity involve patients taking synthetic vitamin D2, so we prescribe natural vitamin D3,” says Dr. Young.

Understandably, because of how vitamins are portrayed as helpful and readably available, many people are willing to take vitamins blind. Not only are there common negative effects but there are additional negative effects when you mix them with other drugs. You could be prescribed a medicine that will cause a negative effect when mixing it with your daily vitamins. Depending on what multivitamins you take and the medicine your prescribed, you could go through some terrible side effects. Something as harmless as a pain killer, or ibuprofen, could mix negatively with your everyday vitamins. These are both things can be easily found on the kitchen counter or in a bathroom cabinet. Both seemingly innocent, but when mixed, depending on the vitamin, could lead to some very negative side effects.

It is essential that the human body receives the right vitamins and nutrients to maintain a healthy body and life. That doesn’t mean taking vitamin tablets daily is the option. Receiving these nutrients through a healthy diet is a much better option. Using fruits, vegetables, and whole foods is the way to positively gain all the nutrients the human body requires. If everyone could do their research on how useless and sometimes even harmful multivitamins can be, Americans could be saving a lot more than just money.

“Are You Taking Too Much Calcium, A or D? – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic.” Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic. 27 May 2014. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.