8 Responses to “ Supplement if you want more out of your body ”

1. 

   Irene Song on January 20, 2010 at 10:16 am

   How do I know if I’m not already taking the RDI in the foods that I regularly eat? Wouldn’t I be putting extended periods of stress on my liver and kidneys if I continually have too much of a certain mineral or vitamin?
2. 

   Minna Leung on January 20, 2010 at 12:07 pm

   what about D?
3. 

   Neko Leung on January 20, 2010 at 5:29 pm

   I am forgetful, is there an all-in-one tablet kind of solution that I can take?
4. 

   Dr. Victor Chan on January 20, 2010 at 6:18 pm

   Vitamin D is a great example of a nutrient where the recommendations for food intake in the Canada Food Guide are inadequate. Who says the levels are too low and you need to supplement with extra Vitamin D? HEALTH CANADA – THE ONES WHO PUT OUT THE CANADA FOOD GUIDE (for more info, go to http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/context/evid-fond/vita_d-eng.php)!

   Health Canada’s DRI (Dietary Reference Intake – I know, it can get confusing) for Vitamin D is 200-600 IU per day depending on your age. That might be enough to prevent bone density problems such as rickets and osteoporosis. Probably not, unless you are also doing weight-bearing exercise and eating a healthy diet.

   But research shows that Vitamin D fights cancer and increases immune system health to fight against autoimmune conditions and viral infections like the H1N1 flu virus. To get these effects, you need to get 5-20x the DRI levels (or even more)…. See More

   Can you get Vitamin D without supplements? Of course. You generate some Vitamin D from sun exposure but if you live in Vancouver, don’t count on generating much the entire winter. Also, you get about 100 IU of Vitamin D in a glass of fortified milk. Compare that to being able to get 1000 IU in a single drop of a liquid Vitamin D supplement!

   Don’t get me wrong. Keep eating good whole foods. But there’s no possible way to reach optimal healthy levels of nutrients through diet alone.
5. 

   Dr. Victor Chan on January 20, 2010 at 6:34 pm

   MAKE SURE YOU EAT YOUR VEGGIES!!! Vegetables are the best source of vitamins and minerals and many people do not eat enough. Eating a varied diet of whole foods (not too much processed stuff such as “junk” or “instant” food) will help to ensure you meet the minimum requirements for your nutrients.

   To reach optimal levels of nutrients, supplement.

   I think forgetting to take vitamins is a common issue. Unfortunately, there’s no way to fit EVERYTHING into an all-in-one tablet that can be readily absorbed (so even though the once-a-day vitamins might seem cheaper, you’re probably not getting as much value as the multi-vitamins that require you to take multiple doses per day). That’s why I designed “Daily Core Essentials” vitamin packs for my patients. Each container (good for a 1-month supply) includes 4 multi-vitamin tablets, an essential fatty acid capsule, a calcium-magnesium tablet, and an antioxidant capsule. All you do is grab a pack in the morning and off you go!… See More

   Of course, you can always have too much of a good thing. Even though the toxic levels of most vitamins and minerals are much, much greater than the RDIs or DRIs, they can do harm if you abuse them. To be sure, ask a qualified Naturopathic Doctor.
6. 

   Minna Leung on January 20, 2010 at 7:57 pm

   so how’s 1 1000IU vit D every other day and a cup of milk everyday while eating at least 1-2 servings of veggie everyday?
7. 

   Dr. Victor Chan on January 20, 2010 at 11:45 pm

   I think combining a healthy diet with nutritional supplementation is the ideal way to stay healthy.

   But remember: the Canada Food Guide recommends adult women age 19-50 eat 7-8 servings of vegetables and fruits per day! If you can’t eat that many veggies, then you MUST use supplements.
8. 

   Lynn Li on January 21, 2010 at 3:00 pm

   Yeah, I take my supplements everyday.:P

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