How Important is it to Take Vitamins?

You may have wondered if it is necessary to your health to take vitamins regularly.  The ideal way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods.  In fact, most people get enough of the vitamins they need from the food they eat and do not need to supplement their diet.

However, while USDA guidelines emphasize that nutrient supplements should not be substituted for a healthy diet, they do note that vitamins can be useful when there is a nutrient gap that an individual cannot meet with their intake of food.

Your body needs vitamins in order to grow and develop normally. These vitamins include A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins--niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, riboflavin, biotin, vitamin B-6, thiamine and vitamin B-12.  The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans specify that the low intake of certain nutrients and vitamins may create a cause for concern.  Specifically, these nutrients are calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, Vitamins A, C, E and folic acid, among others.

Who in particular needs specific vitamins and nutrients? According to the FDA:

• If you are an older adult, have dark skin, or are exposed to insufficient sunlight, consume extra vitamin D from fortified foods or supplements.
• If you're a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant, consume iron-rich foods.
• If you're over age 50, consume vitamin B-12 in its crystalline form in fortified foods or supplements.
• If you're a woman who may become pregnant or is in the first trimester of pregnancy, consume adequate folic acid daily from fortified foods or supplements.

The FDA advises that vitamins are not dangerous as long as they are taken in the quantity that is suggested on the label. If an adverse reaction is experienced, be sure to contact your doctor, as well as the manufacturer of the supplement.

The bottom line? Try to incorporate more of these nutrients in your diet, and remember that it's always better to consume a variety of foods, as opposed to just taking a multivitamin.

Childhood Obesity: What Can Be Done About This Epidemic?

Childhood obesity is currently an epidemic in the United States as well as the world. It is estimated that one out of five children between 6 and 17 are overweight. Because of this, millions of children have a much greater chance of developing obesity-related disorders like heart disease or diabetes.

Parents are urged to encourage their kids to be physically active--especially because it has been shown that children who are obese have an extremely difficult time losing weight. When a child is overweight growing up, it also makes it harder for them to change their habits and their lifestyle when they become adults.

So why is there such an epidemic?  One reason is the large quantities of readily available foods which are full of sugar and fat as well as high in calories.  The other major factor is a lack of physical activity and exercise.

Just last month, First Lady Michelle Obama announced her program to help end childhood obesity in America.  The campaign is called "Let's Move" and it involves several things: helping parents become more informed about nutrition and exercise, improving food quality in schools, putting a stronger emphasis on physical education and making foods which are healthy more accessible and affordable.

In what other ways can childhood obesity be tackled?  Having parents discourage sugary and high-fat beverages and foods, improving outdoor recreational facility access, making physical education required, having communities better support activities such as biking and walking and improving traffic safety in places where children play or engage in physical activities.

The good news is, the problem of childhood obesity can be solved.  With the involvement of schools and teachers and more education about how it can be prevented, this epidemic can be turned around.