Help and Hype-Soy supposedly helps heart health, but thus far no studies have supported this. However, it is a good source of calcium and also a good source of non-animal protein and ‘dairy’ such as in soy milk.
Help-Folacin (folic acid) is key for the production and maintenance of new cells. You can get it leafy greens and many fortified foods. It is especially important for pregnant women, or women that are thinking about getting pregnant. It helps to prevent birth defects and has also been found to help lower the risk of colon and breast cancers.
Help-Folate and vitamin B12 work together to protect cognitive function, but any supplements which claim to improve your memory, hype.
Help-Vitamin K is good for bone health, though not for people with blood clotting issues.
Hype-Vitamin O, an extra oxygen molecule in water, is a scam.
Hype and Help-Antioxidants-while they are supposed to have cancer-fighting properties, to date, studies have not proven any benefit in their regard, or in reference to heart health. In fact, people taking multivitamins have actually been shown to have worse health outcomes, particularly regarding prostate cancer.
However, A, C and E are found naturally in many foods and so if you are eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you should be getting your full daily allowance.
So there it is, a quick round-up of some of the grand claims made on behalf of certain vitamin and nutraceuticals.
So the next time you hear claims about huge health benefits supposedly coming from vitamins and supplements, save your money on them, and spend it at the supermarket on eating nutritious fresh foods.
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