Comments on: Throw away your multivitamins and antioxidants! http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants Medicine for the 21st century Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:43:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ryan Lazarus http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-12442 Ryan Lazarus Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:36:46 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-12442 Chris, I enjoy reading your opinion in your blogs and agree on many concepts you present to your readers. The natural approach to health and nutrition is the optimal approach and I'm also a strong advocate of the paleo diet. It's the approach I use personally and with my patients. As a Functional Medicine practioner, I use the Functional Medicine model to diagnosis and reverse illness. The Functional Medicine model is the understanding and application of our genetic expression with our environment (epigenetics) to address key underlying issues such as improper assimilation, systemic inflammation, endocrine dysfunction, biotransformation, mitochondrial insuffiency, etc. We utilize the current objective research regarding supplementation therapy to enhance enzyme systems and facilitate optimal physiology. In fact, there is an impressive amount of research indicating the proper use of prescribing integrative nutrceuticals. (I'd be happy to share this non-bias, objective research.) I agree that blind supplementation can be dangerous to a lay person without proper guidance. I have personally observed many patients who are uneduacted and follow the media's unwaranted supplement advice. I believe your intention to provide surface information, flawed research and data regarding multivatamins and anti-oxidants was good. Unfortanately, it is a bit decieving and inaccurate. If a person wants to understand their own personal physiology and take nutraceuticals to faciliate optimal function, I recommend they run specific labs (organic acids test, lipid peroxides, micronutrient testing, etc.) That takes the guessing out of it, prevents blind supplementation and ensures they're recieving a personalized approach. Ryan Lazarus Napa, CA Chris,

I enjoy reading your opinion in your blogs and agree on many concepts you present to your readers. The natural approach to health and nutrition is the optimal approach and I’m also a strong advocate of the paleo diet. It’s the approach I use personally and with my patients. As a Functional Medicine practioner, I use the Functional Medicine model to diagnosis and reverse illness. The Functional Medicine model is the understanding and application of our genetic expression with our environment (epigenetics) to address key underlying issues such as improper assimilation, systemic inflammation, endocrine dysfunction, biotransformation, mitochondrial insuffiency, etc.

We utilize the current objective research regarding supplementation therapy to enhance enzyme systems and facilitate optimal physiology. In fact, there is an impressive amount of research indicating the proper use of prescribing integrative nutrceuticals. (I’d be happy to share this non-bias, objective research.)

I agree that blind supplementation can be dangerous to a lay person without proper guidance. I have personally observed many patients who are uneduacted and follow the media’s unwaranted supplement advice.

I believe your intention to provide surface information, flawed research and data regarding multivatamins and anti-oxidants was good. Unfortanately, it is a bit decieving and inaccurate. If a person wants to understand their own personal physiology and take nutraceuticals to faciliate optimal function, I recommend they run specific labs (organic acids test, lipid peroxides, micronutrient testing, etc.) That takes the guessing out of it, prevents blind supplementation and ensures they’re recieving a personalized approach.

Ryan Lazarus
Napa, CA

]]> By: Bob Carson http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-12405 Bob Carson Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:07:26 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-12405 Jack Kruse. LOL Jack Kruse.

LOL

]]> By: Eric Anondson http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-10592 Eric Anondson Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:12:54 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-10592 Chris, what do you think about Jack Kruse's recent list of 10 Paleo supplements? Including PQQ, CoQ10, etc. Chris, what do you think about Jack Kruse’s recent list of 10 Paleo supplements? Including PQQ, CoQ10, etc.

]]> By: Eric Anondson http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-10591 Eric Anondson Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:09:29 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-10591 Nothing in whole grains you can't get from other sources. Except asthma, GERD, leaky gut, carb-induced weight gain, blood sugar spikes. Nothing in whole grains you can’t get from other sources. Except asthma, GERD, leaky gut, carb-induced weight gain, blood sugar spikes.

]]> By: Laurel http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-10590 Laurel Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:09:18 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-10590 Hi Chris, I've always believed that nutrients / vitamins/ minerals/ were best taken / and more effective in the package they grew in, and that the combo with other naturally present elements, was as nature intended it to be for best use by we humans. BUT with the way we now grow things now, not fallowing fields, over germiciding, fertilizing etc., Ileads to "studies" that show how depleted our food sources are from say 50 years ago - thus the need to supplement.. is this right or wrong? Hi Chris,
I’ve always believed that nutrients / vitamins/ minerals/ were best taken / and more effective in the package they grew in, and that the combo with other naturally present elements, was as nature intended it to be for best use by we humans. BUT with the way we now grow things now, not fallowing fields, over germiciding, fertilizing etc., Ileads to “studies” that show how depleted our food sources are from say 50 years ago – thus the need to supplement.. is this right or wrong?

]]> By: Kathleen Edith http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-10260 Kathleen Edith Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:57:56 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-10260 Would K-2 benefit someone with psuedogoout (calcium crystal build-up in joints)? PS congrats on the cute baby! Would K-2 benefit someone with psuedogoout (calcium crystal build-up in joints)? PS congrats on the cute baby!

]]> By: multivitamin http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-9453 multivitamin Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:39:58 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-9453 More than vitamins, your supplement should contain minerals and other ingredients if they are to work to optimal effect. This is because many ingredients work together to improve function. If we were to eat a natural diet without supplements and fulfill our daily requirement of minerals, vitamins and so on, our diets would be varied to include numerous vegetable, whole grain and protein components. More than vitamins, your supplement should contain minerals and other ingredients if they are to work to optimal effect. This is because many ingredients work together to improve function. If we were to eat a natural diet without supplements and fulfill our daily requirement of minerals, vitamins and so on, our diets would be varied to include numerous vegetable, whole grain and protein components.

]]> By: Jeanette http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-7193 Jeanette Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:19:51 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-7193 Thanks for such targeted and plain language articles and comment-replies! I started on 5,000 iu d3 in January when I learned about the links between it, winter depression/insomnia and type 1 diabetes. The magnesium followed a month after more research.. and, well, something interesting has happened with the magnesium. I've been using a 300 mg phidolate/oxoid mix daily, and I ended up with severe emotional bouts of crying and distress that would last 2-3 hours in varying strength after each supplementation. I suspect my magnesium levels to be the ground reason for the clockwork seasonal insomnia (I live in denmark), but am rather confused by the results I've started to have to the magnesium supplement here in the summer months. Is it possible to hit an upper limit of magnesium intake, and if so, would it show up because of focusing on a magnesium-rich diet already? Also, there is a teensy threshhold where the question, 'to multivit or not to multivit' becomes a grey zone. It is possible to buy multivitamins based entirely off of food sources (especially in the case of mineral uptake). Are these still rather ruled out? Thanks! Thanks for such targeted and plain language articles and comment-replies! I started on 5,000 iu d3 in January when I learned about the links between it, winter depression/insomnia and type 1 diabetes. The magnesium followed a month after more research.. and, well, something interesting has happened with the magnesium. I’ve been using a 300 mg phidolate/oxoid mix daily, and I ended up with severe emotional bouts of crying and distress that would last 2-3 hours in varying strength after each supplementation. I suspect my magnesium levels to be the ground reason for the clockwork seasonal insomnia (I live in denmark), but am rather confused by the results I’ve started to have to the magnesium supplement here in the summer months. Is it possible to hit an upper limit of magnesium intake, and if so, would it show up because of focusing on a magnesium-rich diet already?

Also, there is a teensy threshhold where the question, ‘to multivit or not to multivit’ becomes a grey zone. It is possible to buy multivitamins based entirely off of food sources (especially in the case of mineral uptake). Are these still rather ruled out?
Thanks!

]]> By: Robert Jacobs http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-6873 Robert Jacobs Wed, 11 May 2011 23:18:49 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-6873 Hmm - how to like liver? I just do not understand. Liver is delicious. Really. OK, you gotta make it right. Use Virgin Red Palm Oil. Yeah, the strong flavored stuff. Sautee at low heat whole onion (dollar slices) to half done. Then add sliced/cut garlic (at least a handful). THEN put the liver in the center. Cook on low heat two 2/3 minutes, flip, cook two more minutes to Medium Rare only. Hmm – how to like liver?
I just do not understand. Liver is delicious. Really. OK, you gotta make it right.

Use Virgin Red Palm Oil. Yeah, the strong flavored stuff. Sautee at low heat whole onion (dollar slices) to half done. Then add sliced/cut garlic (at least a handful). THEN put the liver in the center. Cook on low heat two 2/3 minutes, flip, cook two more minutes to Medium Rare only.

]]> By: Peggy The Primal Parent http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-6872 Peggy The Primal Parent Wed, 11 May 2011 22:49:59 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-6872 I have used liver as a dietary supplement for years (I say supplement because I can't stand the stuff). I also take fish oil. Occasionally, when I eat something that makes me feel terrible I take some supplements as "insurance". I'll feel more confident after reading this post to just let my body and the whole foods I eat do the job. Thanks for the insight! I have used liver as a dietary supplement for years (I say supplement because I can’t stand the stuff). I also take fish oil.

Occasionally, when I eat something that makes me feel terrible I take some supplements as “insurance”. I’ll feel more confident after reading this post to just let my body and the whole foods I eat do the job.

Thanks for the insight!

]]> By: Anonymous http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-6591 Anonymous Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:13:00 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-6591 you're going to love this http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/357/10-Very-Good-Reasons-For-You-To-Take-Supplements.aspx you’re going to love this

http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/357/10-Very-Good-Reasons-For-You-To-Take-Supplements.aspx

]]> By: Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-6065 Chris Kresser Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:28:00 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-6065 I'm all for using supplements for therapeutic purposes. And my views on supplementation in general have evolved since I wrote this article. I still don't think standard multis are a good idea for most people (too much of the wrong stuff, and not enough of the right stuff), but I do think micronutrient deficiencies are increasingly common and problematic. I’m all for using supplements for therapeutic purposes. And my views on supplementation in general have evolved since I wrote this article. I still don’t think standard multis are a good idea for most people (too much of the wrong stuff, and not enough of the right stuff), but I do think micronutrient deficiencies are increasingly common and problematic.

]]> By: Martin Archer http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-6063 Martin Archer Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:44:00 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-6063 what about "niche" supplements as it were? Milk thistle for example to help protect the liver against alcohol consumption? Or what if someone has a medical condition of some kind or another - as well as good diet - surely certain specific supplements must help? what about “niche” supplements as it were? Milk thistle for example to help protect the liver against alcohol consumption? Or what if someone has a medical condition of some kind or another – as well as good diet – surely certain specific supplements must help?

]]> By: Anonymous http://chriskresser.com/throw-away-your-multivitamins-and-antioxidants#comment-6062 Anonymous Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:06:00 +0000 http://chriskresser.com/?p=541#comment-6062 Great article, Chris. I'm happy to see knowledgeable people discussing and disseminating important information. Especially when it's to others who otherwise wouldn't have come across it. I have one suggestion for improvement: Most of the article does a great job of sticking to facts and being objective. However, the paragraph that mentions that vitamin B1 is sometimes derived from coal tar is pandering to the reader's emotions. Making a vitamin from coal tar sounds gross and unhealthy. However, without an explanation of why that's undesirable, the statement is out of context, and nullifies the argument. For example, a common medication for deep vein thrombosis is rat poison (AKA Coumadin). Said like that, some patients will be put off from using Coumadin, despite its applicability and efficacy in dealing with DVT. Keep up the great writing! Have a fun weekend, mate. Nick Great article, Chris. I’m happy to see knowledgeable people discussing and disseminating important information. Especially when it’s to others who otherwise wouldn’t have come across it.

I have one suggestion for improvement: Most of the article does a great job of sticking to facts and being objective. However, the paragraph that mentions that vitamin B1 is sometimes derived from coal tar is pandering to the reader’s emotions. Making a vitamin from coal tar sounds gross and unhealthy. However, without an explanation of why that’s undesirable, the statement is out of context, and nullifies the argument.

For example, a common medication for deep vein thrombosis is rat poison (AKA Coumadin). Said like that, some patients will be put off from using Coumadin, despite its applicability and efficacy in dealing with DVT.

Keep up the great writing! Have a fun weekend, mate.
Nick

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