CAN MULTIVITAMINS SUBSTITUTE FOR FRUITS?
Q
My friend has stopped eating fruits because of all the scare stories about toxins in them from pesticides. She is now taking multivitamins instead. I’m thinking of doing the same. Is that a good idea?
A
Multivitamins can only help supplement your diet and can never replace the benefits derived from natural vitamins sourced from food. Whole foods have thousands of enzymes and phytochemicals, the effect of which cannot be replicated or substituted by a concoction of pills.
Instead of giving up on food groups that could have toxins and pesticides, she could go organic and pick a brand she trusts. The nutritional value in terms of macros (carbs, protein, fats) of both organic and non-organic food will nearly be the same. For example: the vitamins and minerals you get froman organic apple versus a commercially grown one will be more or less similar. But the non-organic apple may have chemicals, pesticides, and other farming agents that could wreak havoc on your endocrine system, congest your liver making weight loss a challenge and disturb the hormonal levels in your body. You and your friend could go organic with milk and dairy products, eggs, meats, fruits and vegetables.
Supplements can be used as an addition to your healthy eating habits and regular intake will dramatically boost your metabolism, give you more energy and improve your skin and hair too.