SAMPLE: TERM PAPER (Prepared by ELC550 students)

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CONSUMING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

“Dietary supplements can be defined as any vitamin, mineral, added chemical substance, herbal product,
botanicals, amino acids, or other ingestible preparation that is added to the diet to benefit human health”
(Valavanidis, 2016). According to Valavanidis (2016), dietary supplements should not completely replace
balanced diet which is necessary for healthy diet although dietary supplements is claimed to be one of the
advantages for human diet. Some doctors recommend dietary supplements for patients in order to improve
their health performance. However, there are also people that consume dietary supplements through self-
medication or suggestions from their friends (Raven, 2014). It is clear that there are several advantages and
disadvantages of consuming dietary supplements. (Thesis statement)

One major advantage of consuming dietary supplements is supplements can provide optimal nutrients to our
body. The majority of studies have proven that by consuming multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplement with the
suggested dose, a person can get most of the nutrition that they lack with no adverse effects (Fulgoni et al.,
2011; Sebaqstina et al., 2007; Shakur et al., 2012, as cited in Valavanidis, 2016). According to Admin (as
cited in Raven, 2012), a vitamin B12 supplement is very crucial for the vegans or vegetarians because only
animal products can provide B12. Gezondheidsraad (2009, as cited in Brink, Breedveld and Peters, 2014)
also states that Vitamin B12 is important for red blood cell production, and allow nervous system to function
efficiently, but vegans have high chance of getting an extremely low of vitamin B12 because they do not eat
meat. Many researchers agree that it is necessary to consume some doses of omega-3 fatty acids in daily in
order to get a balanced diet (Valavanidis, 2016).

Secondly, taking dietary supplements also can reduce congenital deformity during pregnancy. It is
recommended that all future mothers consume 400μg folic acid every day by the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention to aid in preventing birth complications (Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, as cited in
Ward, 2014). Brink, Breedveld and Peters (2014) also state that additional folic acid can decrease the
possibility of birth problems, such as spine bifida, and cleft lip as well as cleft palate. Valavanidis (2016) says
that consuming Vitamin E supplements and other vitamins has been recommended for positive effects in
pregnancy. Valavanidis (2016) also points out that many randomized controlled trials or quasi-randomized
trials reveal that taking iron supplements can reduce the chances of maternal anemia and iron deficiency
during pregnancy.

Next, brain function also can be improved by consuming dietary supplements. Valavanidis (2016) indicates
that iron supplementation can increase intellectual ability and enhance memory in individuals who have iron
deficiencies or suffer from anemia especially in people aged 12 to 55 years old. Raven (2012) proposes that
brain memory can be improved by consuming 120mg ginkgo biloba, which can help individuals to maintain
brain performance. Chan, Remington, Kotyla, Lepore, Zemianek & Shea (2010, as cited in Ward, 2014) agree

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that, dietary supplements which contains 400 μg of vitamins folic acid, 6 μg of vitamin B12, 30 IU alpha-
tocopherol of vitamin E, 400 mg of S-adenosylmethionine, 600 mg N-acetyl cysteine and 500 mg acetyl-L-
carnitine can enhance cognitive performance for the time of its use only in a randomized control trial of
healthy adults aged from 18 to 86 years. Furthermore, Harris, Macpherson, Vitetta, Kirk, Sali and Pipingas
(2012, as cited in Ward, 2014) found in a randomized controlled trial study of an Australian supplements that
around 50 types of vitamins, herbs and minerals could increase contextual recognition memory among men
aged 50 to 74 years old.

Another advantage of dietary supplements is that they can improve bone health. Dietary Supplements
Ingredient Database (DSID) (n.d., as cited in Ward, 2014) indicates that bone diseases can be prevented by
consuming supplements as they can provide sufficient iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Raven
(2012) states that the body does not produce calcium spontaneously, although, it is crucial for heart beat
regulation and healthy bones. He also states that the suggested dose of calcium is between 1000mg IU to
1200mg IU daily. According to Long and Ward (2016, as cited in Valavanidis, 2016), human studies largely
support that a high intake of total PUFAs, total n-3 (σ-3) fatty acid and total n-6 (σ-6 FAs) fatty acid leads to
low risk of fragility fracture and can improve higher bone mineral density. According to Brink, Breedveld &
Peters (2014), the Health Council agrees that consuming additional vitamin D especially in women aged from
50 to 70 years old can prevent bone loss.

Other than that, consuming dietary supplements also can reduce eye-related problems. According to
Valavanidis (2016), a study of the biggest and longest randomized controlled trial of multivitamin and mineral
supplements by Physicians’ Health Study II have found that 9% frequency of the total cataract in which eye
disease that involves opacification of the natural lens of the eye, significantly reduced. Ward (2014) also
agreed that multivitamins and minerals supplements play role in preventing cataract, especially nuclear
cataract, which is the common classification of cataract. A study conducted by Raven (2012) also found that,
consuming 120mg ginkgo biloba can reduce macular degeneration in which the condition can cause
blindness due to degenerative disease of the retina. Besides, over intermediate of six years and three months
in the randomized Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), excessive doses of three vitamins with
antioxidant properties in 500 mg/d vitamin C, 400 IU/d vitamin E and 15 mg/d of beta carotene as well as 80
mg zinc oxide have shown a 28% decreased risk of progression macular degeneration in elderly (AERDS,
2001 as cited in Ward, 2014). Milton, Sperduto, Clemons and Ferris, (2006 as cited in Ward, 2014) also
reported that those vitamins also reduced the risk of cortical lens opacity by 16% and nuclear cataract by
25%.

However, the major disadvantage of dietary supplements is excessive consumption of these supplements can
increase the risk of malignant growths in our body. Studies have proven that consuming excessive dose of
beta carotene can cause lung cancer among smokers and thus, it is not advisable for smokers to take
supplements which contain excessive doses of beta carotene (“Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of
mixed carotenes”, 2012 & “Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global

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perspective”, 2012 as cited in Brink, Breedveld & Peters, 2014). Valavanidis (2016) also states that some
notable adverse and beneficial effects have found in large-scale randomized cancer prevention trials that
have mostly been negative which showed that beta carotene lead to high risk of lung cancer as well as
stomach cancer. He also states that consuming of vitamin E can lead to an increase risk of contracting
prostate cancer colorectal cancer while consuming selenium can decrease gastric and lung cancer for those
who have low level of selenium. Valavanidis (2016) adds that supplements can raise the rate of having
gastric and lung cancer for those who already had high level of selenium. Smokers and ex-smokers are
advised not to consume multivitamins and mineral supplements that contain excessive doses of beta
carotene or vitamin A because studies have related these nutrients which can lead to high risk of lung cancer
among smokers (Cortes- Jofre, Rueda, Corsini-Munoz, Fonseca-Cortes, Caraballoso & Bonfill, 2012 ;
Omenn, 1996 as cited in Ward, 2014). Valavanidis (2016) also found that Vitamin E and beta carotene
decreased toxicity from radiotherapy such as chemotherapy among neck and head cancer patients, however,
it has been found in rising the recurrence of the cancers particularly among smokers. There is also new
evidence that excessive doses of some supplements can lead to higher risk of cancer (Valavanidis, 2016)

Next, excessive consumption of dietary supplements may lead to heart problems. Heart Outcomes Prevention
Evaluation (HOPE) and 7 year open label HOPE The Ongoing Outcomes found in a study that high risk
people who are more than 55 years old that consume vitamin E, significantly have high risk of heart failure
and associated hospitalization (Lonn et al, 2005, as cited in Ward, 2014). Raven (2012) also points out that
symptoms of heart disease are also related to high consumption of magnesium supplements. The Women’s
Health Initiative for Calcium and vitamin D supplementation studies found that the risk of getting
cardiovascular problems especially myocardial infarction is moderately higher by consuming calcium
supplement either with or without taking vitamin D supplementation (Bolland, Grey, Avenell, Gamble and
Reid, n.d., as cited in Valavanidis, 2016). According to Raven (2012), intestinal gas or constipation and heart
attacks also can happen due to excessive consumption of calcium supplements.

Last but not least, excessive intake of dietary supplements can cause liver and gastrointestinal problems.
According to Brink, Breedveld & Peters (2014), liver damage as well as eyes and skin disorders can occur
due to high intake of vitamin A supplementation. Klontz, Debeck, Leblanc and Mogen, (2015, as cited in
Valavanidis, 2016) revealed that FDA received 114 reports from 2012 to 2014, consumers of OxyELITEPro
which is one of the weight loss supplements, were getting adverse effect such as liver damage and hepatitis
outbreak. In addition, individual who consume excessive amounts of Vitamin C can suffer from stomach ache
or diarrhoea (NIH, 2012, as cited in Raven, 2012). High intestinal gas also can occur due to excessive
amounts of fibre intake which cause abdominal cramps (NIH, 2012, as cited in Raven, 2012).

As a conclusion, consuming dietary supplements is beneficial to human health because it can provide optimal
nutrition, reduce congenital deformity in pregnancy, improve brain function, improve bone mass and reduce
eye problems. However, we should remember that dietary supplements cannot completely replace a

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balanced diet consisting of vegetables, grains, fruits, dairy, meats and beans as well as oils and sweets.
Excessive consumption of dietary supplements without physician’s consultation also can cause harm to our
body, which may lead to various health problems such as increase the risk of malignant growths as well as
lead to heart, liver and gastrointestinal problems.

REFERENCES

Brink, L., Breedveld, B., & Peters, S. (2017). Recommendations for vitamin, mineral or trace element
supplementation. Retrieved on October 25, 2017 from http://www.voedingscentrum.nl/Assets/ Upl
oads/voedingscentrum/Documents/Professionals/Pers/Factsheets/English/Recommendations%20%0
vitamin,%20mineral%20or%20trace%20element%20supplementation.pdf.

Raven, P. (2012), Dietary supplements. Retrieved on October 31,2017 from https://studentshare.net

/health-sciences-medicine/75725-weight-management.

Valavanidis, A. (2016). Dietary supplements: beneficial to human health of just peace of mind?A critical
review on the issue of benefit/ risk of dietary supplements. Retrieved from https://www
.researchgate.net/profile/Athanasios_Valavanidis/publication/_Dietary_Supplements_Beneficial_to_Hu
man_Health_of_Just_Peace_of_Mind_A_Critical_Review_on_the_Issue_of_BenefitRisk_of_Dietary_S
upplements/links/

Ward, E. (2014).Addressing nutritional gaps with multivitamin and mineral supplements, Nutrition
Journal,

Retrieved on October 20, 2017, from http://www.nutritionj.com/content/13/1/72

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