Do you take vitamins?

[robynebr]

Ooh... first post outta the gate and I hit enter too soon! This sounds promising. :)

I read many skeptic blogs (skepchick, science blogs, etc.) and I've seen this argument made a few times. When dissecting the spread of 'woo' health advice in the 'net, someone eventually asks 'well, do you take vitamins? Because they're not proven." Or something along the lines.

As a skeptic, what is your criteria for health supplements? Avoid all? Keep your mind open to non-government-sanctioned research? Are studies done in other countries acceptible, even if your home country doesn't sign off on a vitamin or supplement?

Also - hi! New here, obviously. I'm shying away from Livejournal these days, but am having trouble finding enough activity on dreamwidth to hold my interest. I wonder if this site is going to take off? (oops, two questions in one - is that allowed? :-P)

Comments

[paper_hand]

Well, vitamins themselves are certainly beneficial, although many multivitamins are packed with far more than your body can use, meaning that you're basically paying for expensive urine, and most of the time, if you have a balanced diet, you should be getting enough vitamins anyways. If your diet is unbalanced or you have a condition that prevents proper absorption of nutrients, then vitamins can be useful. But, for most people, from what I understand, they are largely unnecessary.

Other supplements, I tend to be wary of, since they're often not tested.

As for DW, I think it's just a matter of time. DW's still on an invite-only basis, so that's slowing down growth. But I hope it will take off, it just may take a year or two to do so. I certainly intend to stay here.

[robynebr]

Thanks. I agree that a good balanced diet should be enough for most people (unless they are deficient in something particular, or under particular stress). But when I start talking to doctors and others about specific ones, it gets as confusing, and as unbelievable at times, as talking about herbs or supplements.

What I'm also wary of, though, is allowing my belief and/or skepticism be skewed too much by my country (US). Just because the FDA doesn't get behind something, does that mean it's useless? As mentioned in my other comment. St. Johns Wort is decried here, but well researched and accepted in other countries. I also understand that chiropractic care is either accepted or written off as pointless depending on country.

Anyway, it's all academic. I take minimal vitamins just to cover my bases (because I don't eat as well as I should).