Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

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Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

• The Ins and Outs.

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How common is supplement use?

• How many people here take a vitamin or mineral
  supplement on a regular basis?
• If you answered yes you are not alone.
• (Obviously)
• Supplement use is a very common practice in North
  America.
• Canadians are taking more interest in nutritional
  health.

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Non-credible sources of information.

• Since the 1920s, Western Governments have known
  that the majority of our food crops have been
  grown on mineral-depleted soils, which makes them
  not only more susceptible to plant diseases and
  insect attack, but also nutritionally fairly
  worthless.
• As a consequence, virtually everyone in the
  Western World (many "primitive cultures" are much
  better nourished than we are) needs to supplement
  their diet to a greater or lesser extent.

http//www.natural-health-information-centre.com/n
utritional-supplements.html
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Make sure your information is credible!

• Check website for the last time it was updated.
• Make sure the author/organization has the proper
  credentials.
• Check for email address or other contact
  information.
• Look for things like speelling or grammar!
  errors.

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Should I take a vitamin/mineral supplement?

• 1 Rule Keep Supplements Simple.
• Usually only warranted
• At certain stages in life
• Pre-menopausal or pregnant women.
• People aged 50 and over.

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Should I take a vitamin/mineral supplement?

• With certain lifestyles and dietary concerns
• Vegans
• Endurance Athletes
• Smokers
• High and regular alcohol consumption
• In certain Northern or Southern regions.

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Should I take a vitamin/mineral supplement?

• With Certain medical conditions
• Food Allergies
• Intolerances
• Digestive disorders
• Large menstrual losses
• Certain drugs

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What kind of supplement should I choose?

• Simple multi-vitamin/mineral supplements are
  usually sufficient.
• Look for Something that does not cost too much
  and contains many vitamins and minerals.
• Choose a supplement tailored to your specific
  needs.

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Is it possible to take too much?

• Too much of anything can be harmful.
• Consuming large doses of vitamins and minerals
  can cause serious toxicity effects.
• Toxicities are more likely to occur with fat
  soluble vitamins and some minerals.
• Use Moderation and read the instructions on the
  bottle carefully.

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The Bottom Line.

• Try to obtain most nutrients from the foods you
  eat.
• Eat a variety of foods from Canadas food guide.
• Remember the letter S
• Keep Supplements Simple

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Questions?
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Thankyou Everyone!

• If you have any other questions contact your
  doctor or dietitian.

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References

• Adamson, Brian. (2002-2007). Nutritional
  Supplements - what are they, how do they work and
  how do you choose them? Retrieved February 28,
  2007, from http//www.natural-health-information-c
  entre.com/nutritional-supplements.html
• BC Health File 68k. (2004). Vitamin and Mineral
  Supplements for Adults. Retrieved February 28,
  2007, from http//www.bchealthguide.org/healthfile
  s/hfile68k.stm
• Shah, Wendy. (2006). Should I be taking a vitamin
  and mineral supplement?Retrieved February 28,
  2007, http//www.canadian-health-network.ca/servle
  t/ContentServer?cid1002161pagenameCHN-RCS2FCHN
  Resource2FFAQCHNResourceTemplatecCHNResourcela
  ngEn