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Health Q&A: Daily Vitamins?

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Times Staff Writer

Question: Is it really necessary to take daily vitamins?

Answer: There’s no evidence that vitamin supplements help most people stay healthy, and vitamin deficiency is very rare in this country. Daily vitamins might be beneficial to some people who are on a very low-calorie diet, who are vegetarian, or women who are pregnant. Since nutrition science has only identified a fraction of the nutrients humans need, supplements can only provide those vitamins and minerals that are known. It’s best to get nutrients from a variety of fresh foods, which can contain some nutrients science hasn’t even named yet. Fat soluable vitamins, like Vitamin A, are stored in the body for future use, and so too much can build up to a toxic amount. Many other vitamins simply get excreted from the body as waste, so, in general, it’s best not to exceed 100% of the daily recommended intake.

-- Susan Brink, Health section staff writer

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