The Truth About Dietary Supplements: Scientist's View

Lifestyle

| LAST UPDATE 06/04/2023

By Alyssa Williams
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If you're a person who tries to achieve optimal health by spending a considerable amount of money on dietary supplements, you may be surprised to know that they could be doing more harm than good. According to Professor Tim Spector, a renowned scientist, the majority of supplements are not only useless but also a money-making scheme. He states that 99% of supplements have been proven to be ineffective, and the only supplement he recommends is B12 for vegans who may not be consuming enough iron-rich foods.

Professor Spector believes in "real food," which means consuming a mostly plant-based diet, minimizing ultra-processed foods, and avoiding supplements. He goes further to say that supplements make "total mugs" of those who buy them. This statement is backed up by TV doctor Chris van Tulleken, who believes there is no supplement or extract of any food that brings any health benefits in a healthy person, except for vitamin D or B12 in a vegan.

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Professor Spector's view is that educating people about how to identify unhealthy foods and choosing healthy alternatives is crucial in improving life expectancy and enhancing our health span. Additionally, he practices what he preaches and follows a plant-based diet and intermittent fasting. He believes that switching to a plant-based diet will benefit both our health and the planet. In fact, he claims that reducing meat and dairy intake is much more important for the environment than not driving or not taking flights for holidays abroad. It can be challenging to know who to trust when it comes to diet and nutrition. However, Professor Spector is a leading expert in genetic epidemiology and has been calling for "personalized nutrition." His co-founded personalized nutrition program, Zoe, aims to help people make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

So, if you're tired of spending your hard-earned money on supplements with no tangible benefits, consider trying a mostly plant-based diet. By avoiding ultra-processed foods, you can boost your health and increase your life expectancy. Better yet, educate yourself on which foods are healthy and which ones you should avoid. By doing so, you'll make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing.

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