Jul 20, 2006

Tempe, Ariz. - The recent coverage on the National Institute of Health (NIH) panel discussion suggests multi-vitamins may be misleading.  Lauran Neergaard from the AP quotes Dr. J. Michael McGinnis who lead the NIH panels review as saying, “For the average healthy American, there's simply not enough evidence to tell if taking vitamins is a good or bad idea.”  He further suggests his concerns as stating, “For other vitamins, concern arises mainly with super doses that exceed the government's ‘recommended daily amount’, or RDA. Between 1 percent and 11 percent of supplement users may be exceeding the upper limits set for certain nutrients.”    

Naturopathic physician, Mona Morstein, serves as the Department Chair of Nutrition at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and states, “Instead of tossing out your multivitamins, consumers should look a little further.  Scientifically, we know the soil is depleted of nutrients, we know our food has less nutrients in it than 70 years ago, we know that conventionally raised foods are less nutritious than organically raised, we know that the world is more polluted, we know that people do not eat right, sleep enough, or exercise enough.  People live off of white flour, white sugar, pop, agri-industry meat, fast food, low vegetables, sweetened energy drinks, excessive coffee--all foods that are low in quality nutrients.” She further adds, “The RDAs are designed to ensure that 'most' people are not deficient in a nutrient; not 100% of people. Do we want US citizens barely toeing the line in terms of nutritional status, or do we want vibrant, robust Americans, which today require that one eats very well, as organic as possible, and takes supplemental nutrients.  For my patients and myself, if you are alive on Earth, you need to be taking an excellent multiple vitamin, not a One-A-Day, and pure fish oils."

Dr. Morstein currently practices at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz.  To schedule an appointment, please call 480.970.0000.