Are vitamin and mineral supplements really necessary?

No. When a person is following a carefully designed diet, especially if the diet is for the treatment of a specific illness, there is really no need to supplement the diet with vitamins or minerals. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not only unnecessary, but they are often undesirable; as these pills can have adverse unintended side effects.

Are there any side effects to vitamin and mineral supplements?

Yes. There can be unintended side effects to vitamins and minerals.

For example, vitamin and mineral supplements that contain large quantities of vitamin C or Iron can have severe adverse effect on patients suffering from any infection such as diarrhea, Chlamydia, typhoid, arthritis or urinary tract infection. Both vitamin C and iron are yin (expansive) and they tend to facilitate germ growth. This can exacerbate the patient's condition rather than help improve it.

Vitamin & mineral supplements toxic side effects

Some synthesized vitamin and mineral pills can have toxic effects when taken in large quantities.

Most of the vitamin supplements on the market are synthesized from coal tar and other petroleum derivatives. And while the synthetic substance may be chemically identical or closely related to the natural vitamins, they may have only a fraction of the biological activity. Synthetic vitamins may substitute for some, but not all, of the functions of their natural counterparts. Synthetics may also have additional effects beyond those vitamins found in foods. In fact, vitamin manufacturers warn us that large doses of supplemental vitamins A, B complex, C, D and E can harm the body.

Michio Kushi (from his book: The macrobiotic way)

Beware of exotic herbal treatments!

Food is always best medicine. This is an eternal truth.

There is no herbal concoction in the world that can have better positive health results than a carefully designed diet. Herbs are often unknown to the person who is taking them, especially exotic herbs that are fashionable these days. Also, there is the cost factor. These herbs are usually sold for phenomenal prices just because they are exotic and no one really knows their actual benefits. Compare that with foods which are available anywhere at reasonable prices and have absolutely no adverse side effects.

Beware of alleged miracle cures in far away lands

Everyone has heard stories about discoveries of a miraculous potion or an elixir in the Amazons or in the African jungles that cures a stubborn disease, only to find out later that it was a hoax and a scam. The eternal undeniable truth remains:

Food is your best medicine

This truth was taught by great figures from Hippocrates, Oliver Wendel Holmes, Henry G. Bieler, George Ohsawa to Gandhi.

There is really no need to travel to an exotic faraway land for an alleged miracle cure. The cure is already in the kitchen. Remember that looking for a miracle cure, while you go on with your living and eating habits that have led to illness would be like someone who is:

Standing on a whale, fishing for minnows