Mindy Haar, PhD, RD, CDN and Director of New York Institute of Technology School of Health Profession's Graduate Program in Clinical Nutrition says anyone concerned with nutrition should concentrate on getting vitamins and minerals from food rather than supplements.
Haar agrees with the latest news published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that multivitamins should be avoided and that they offer almost no benefit in preventing chronic disease. "This is a very reputable journal and researchers and I’m really not surprised at their findings. The emphasis must be on whole foods," says Haar. "What’s happening is people are taking much more by way of supplements than their bodies need and not focusing on what they're eating."
Certain supplements may be helpful to assist people who have known vitamin or mineral deficiencies. But there are dangers in consuming excessive amounts of vitamins through supplementation, particularly with fat soluble vitamins, including A, D, E, and K.
"It's better to focus on the food," says Haar. "People say, 'I don’t have time to cook but I’m really into health: look at all the supplements I’m taking.' That's not healthy."
Haar's expert profile is here.
Haar is available for interviews at 516-686-3818 or [email protected]
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