Moreover, as vitamin laels usually list [...]]]> Many of us lead busy lives with little time to eat balanced meals. As such, we assume that by popping a multi-vitamin pill, we have made up for what we lack. We think that even if these pills do not help us, at least they will not harm us.

Moreover, as vitamin laels usually list the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals, we assume the pill contains an ideal dose. This assumption is flatly refuted by experts like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the British Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FDA and FSA advise that popping such pills regularly could do serious harm to the body.

The RDA, established by the American Food and Nutrition Board, only acts as a nutritional guideline. It represents the maximum recommended vitamin and mineral need of an adult male on a 2000 calorie diet.

According to nutritionists, it was developed to reverse nutrient deficiency symptoms. So for the average person, the RDA could represent values much higher than his or her actual need. RDA values also change and it is important to know how much you are taking.

For example, the daily RDA for vitamin A used to be maximum of 5000 international units (IU), but today this figure has been revised to a much lower 3000 IU a day for man and 2330 IU a day for women. Too much vitamin A can cause fatigue while an excess of Vitamin B6 can affect the nervous system.

Too much vitamin A or just five times the RDA of vitamin D can damage the liver. Aware of the dangers of overdosing on vitamin pills, the American Association of Pediatrics warns against giving infants vitamin supplements as it could increase their risk of getting allergies or asthma.

(Extract from the book, Enjoying Health & Longevity With Nutritional Immunology, can be found in my favourite book in amazon box at left panel)

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