Health Packaged in a Supplement?! Not Likely!

I groggily role out of bed on my day off and decide there's no better time than now to go through all of those emails that have been patiently awaiting my attention. I should have stayed in bed! (Just kidding!)

I read an article by The Wall Street Journal entitled Toast to Your Health with a Supplement! The article discusses the newest research on reservatrol (found in red wine) and possible reasons to take a supplement of it. Have we really learned nothing?! Have we not learned that taking a vitamin, mineral, or substance from its natural location and isolating it tends to not have the same effects in the human body as when consumed in its natural, original form?! Remember the whole Vitamin E scare?! Vitamin E supplementation was once thought to aid in reducing the risk for heart disease, but then the AHA came forward and said not to take extra Vitamin E to help reduce cholesterol, reduce risk of strokes, and more. There is no scientific evidence to show statistical benefits of taking extra Vitamin E in supplemental form AND actually taking that extra supplement might even increase your risks for heart failure. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and AHA and Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.) Why are we even contemplating the idea to make another useless supplement? In my opinion, if the research intrigues you and you want to increase resveratrol in your diet, replace your whiskey with a glass of red wine!! (This advice also goes for other supplements such as garlic and cinnamon. By George, forget the supplement and just go for the real, whole item if you enjoy it! Cook with garlic! Add cinnamon to your dishes!!!!!) Just remember when it comes to alcohol (red wine or others), women are advised to limit their intake to one glass per day and men to two.

Happy pondering! :)