Side effects of multivitamin use?!
Question: I am currently reading Annemarie Colbin's book "Food and Healing." She seems to be advocating the use of unrefined foods to maintain health rather than relying on synthesized vitamins.
My question is for nutritionists only:
Colbin suggests that taking multivitamins may result in a nutrient imbalance within the body (too many raw vitamins and minerals without the rest of the expected food bulk). As she puts it, you take a pill and the body says "hey, where's the rest of the carrot?" She suggests that this imbalance can cause us to overeat (seeking the rest of the foodstuffs that the vitamins were stripped from) and can cause excess thirst (the body's effort to balance off concentrated nutrients).
Does anybody think that this theory is credible? Could this be why I feel the need to drink in excess of 2.5 liters of water each day? Should I give up my vitamins for a while if I have been sticking to a vegetarian diet for the past 5 years?
Answers: I am currently reading Annemarie Colbin's book "Food and Healing." She seems to be advocating the use of unrefined foods to maintain health rather than relying on synthesized vitamins.
My question is for nutritionists only:
Colbin suggests that taking multivitamins may result in a nutrient imbalance within the body (too many raw vitamins and minerals without the rest of the expected food bulk). As she puts it, you take a pill and the body says "hey, where's the rest of the carrot?" She suggests that this imbalance can cause us to overeat (seeking the rest of the foodstuffs that the vitamins were stripped from) and can cause excess thirst (the body's effort to balance off concentrated nutrients).
Does anybody think that this theory is credible? Could this be why I feel the need to drink in excess of 2.5 liters of water each day? Should I give up my vitamins for a while if I have been sticking to a vegetarian diet for the past 5 years?
Too much of anything is a bad thing.
Generally if you are experiencing thirst your dehydrated. But if you are drinking that much water & are still thirsty... I'd see a dr & get some tests done. There are many diseases that manifest symptoms like thirst (diabetes for one, kidney issues).
It also maybe that one of the multivitamins you are taking is affecting you & perhaps the thirst is your bodies way of flushing it out. I'd talk to a dr to be sure.
I do agree with the Colbin. Multivitamins are a "supplement". Meaning that they add to your food intake, not replace food intake. Though, I don't think your body is wondering where the rest of the carrot is so much as it maybe wondering where the rest of the expected nutrition is. Certain vitamins go together.
You should always strive to get your nutrition from food.
If your a vegetarian you might not be getting all the nutrition you need & this is your bodies way of telling you.
Too much vitamin usage can lead to adverse effects. As with anything moderation is key.
All in all, I'd visit a dr if I was you. Take a list of your supplements, what you eat daily, any other medical info & symptoms.
i am not sure as i have never read the book but i take multivitamins and i don't have an unusual thirst, they work well for me, give me loads of energy, but it could just be a mind over matter thing.
No there is no credibility to that theory... AT ALL. Multivitamins provide your body with vitamins and minerals. Your body doesn't know where it has come from, all your body knows is that it now has a supply of that vitamin. It will not cause you to overeat at all, because what causes you to feel hunger is being at a calorie deficit, your body does know how much energy (calories) it has in its system. Taking a multivitamin will NOT make you overeat. And if your sticking to a vegitarian diet, than you are going to need to take a multivitamin because its difficult to take in all the vit./min. that your body needs from that alone
take a multivitamin, it can only be beneficial to you
hope i helped and
good luck!
this sounds mostly bull. even though vitamins should only be taken if your diet isn't giving you the necessary vitamins(which might be the case considering your a vegetarian), to suggest that your body will take in a vitamin and expect a whole food to accompany it is ridicules at best.
They had a study recently (whats new) that multi vitamins are actually bad for you. They can cause cancer. They stated that it is actually an overdose of vitamins because you get enough in your diet naturally and the remainder can cause cancer in your body. Who knows if it's true. I personally believe they don't do anything. I do believe that Omega 3,6,and 9 and calcium do help in your body. I don't know about the over eating aspect. I do know that diet drinks have been shown to do that however.
Stop taking multivitamins and minerals and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Nausea, constipation, black stools, and diarrhea are among the most common. Taking multivitamins and minerals with food may decrease these side effects.