Dietary supplements, fortified food and drinks: can they be detrimental to our health?

Nutrient intakes are exceeding the safe limits established by the Institute of Medicine

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Some nutrition scientists are concerned that with the profusion of fortified foods, beverages and supplements, many people may be ingesting levels of vitamins and other nutrients that are not only unnecessary, but potentially harmful… Image via fabonthemoon.

2014 Study Abstract

Dietary supplements are a multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S., and their use is increasing exponentially. Additionally, many foods and beverages are increasingly being fortified with single or multiple vitamins and minerals. Consequently, nutrient intakes are exceeding the safe limits established by the Institute of Medicine. In this paper, we examine the benefits and drawbacks of vitamin and mineral supplements and increasing consumption of fortified foods (in addition to dietary intake) in the U.S. population. The pros and cons are illustrated using population estimates of folic acid, calcium and vitamin D intake, highlighting concerns related to overconsumption of nutrients that should be addressed by regulatory agencies.

Sources and more information
  • Food Fortification and Supplement Use – Are there Health Implications? NCBI PubMed PMID: 25036360, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014 Jul 18:0.
  • Are Vitamin Drinks a Bad Idea? well.blogs.nytimes, JANUARY 30, 2015.

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