Faculty of Nursing

Department of English
Advanced Module- AY 21/22
Name: Mohammed Hamdy Mahmoud
BUE ID#: 237181
Are Dietary Supplements Safe?

I. Introduction

A. Thesis Statement:

Dietary supplements are very important and useful to many people because they can

improve a person's health, help meet daily needs for essential nutrients, and reduce

the risk of certain health conditions.

II. Body Paragraph 1

A. Counter-argument/ Opposing Claim:

Opponents of taking nutritional supplements say that because they combine

nutritional supplements, mix drugs and supplements, and take supplements instead

of drugs, they can cause damage to the body's health, the body's systems will suffer

and some health problems.

B. Argument

Dietary supplements, on the other hand, can benefit your health in a variety of

ways, including enhancing your digestive system, strengthening your immune

system, and fortifying your bones. Strong food effects on the body. (NIH, 2017).

C. Refutation & Evidence

In addition, this paper explores findings about nutritional supplements and

approaches for minimizing risks. It examines research into supplements'
positive impacts on various health states. The review aims to assess
evidence on supplements' benefits while outlining strategies for reducing
any potential harms from their usage.

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 Faculty of Nursing
Department of English
Advanced Module- AY 21/22
Name: Mohammed Hamdy Mahmoud
BUE ID#: 237181
Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
III. Body Paragraph 2

A. Counter-argument/ Opposing Claim:

Critics argue some vitamins may do more harm than good. Calcium,
vitamin D, iron: while beneficial, could pose health risks. Iron is a key
concern - it may damage pregnant women and irritate stomachs if taken
unnecessarily.
B. Argument

However, many people take vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. The most
used ones are multivitamins, calcium, and vitamins B, C, and D. Magnesium
helps bones. Vitamin D helps the body use calcium. Vitamins C and E stop
damage to cells. Pregnant women and nursing babies need iron and vitamin
D. All women able to have babies should get 400 micrograms of folic acid
daily. It's important. Vitamin B12 keeps your muscles and blood cells
working right. (National Institutes of Health, 2020a).
C. Refutation & Evidence

Moreover, extra nutrients can come from supplements. They give vitamins,

minerals and more. This piece shows dietary supplements being important.

They help get proper nutrition and better health outcomes (Zhang et al.,

2020).

IV. Body Paragraph 3

A. Counter-argument/ Opposing Claim:

Critics argue that high doses or replacing medications with supplements

puts individuals at greater risk of impacting existing health issues. Certain
supplements could heighten bleeding risks and change anesthesia re-
sponses before procedures. Additionally, supplements might dangerously
interact with prescribed drugs.

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 Faculty of Nursing
Department of English
Advanced Module- AY 21/22
Name: Mohammed Hamdy Mahmoud
BUE ID#: 237181
Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
B. Argument

However, individuals ought to consult physicians prior to consuming

nutritional supplements for treating medical ailments. Additionally, seeking
doctors' approval becomes crucial before taking supplements alongside
prescribed medicines or as dietary additions. If surgical procedures
occurred, discussing any supplemental intake with healthcare providers
proves wise.
C. Refutation & Evidence

The content explored ways to lower risks from supplements. It advised

doctors teach patients about the positives and negatives. A key point: get

nutrients from many foods whenever you can.

V. Sources

1- NIH (2017). Should You Take Dietary Supplements? [online] NIH News in Health.
Available at: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/08/should-you-take-dietary-supplements.
2- National Institutes of Health (2020a). Office of Dietary Supplements - Dietary
Supplements: What You Need to Know. [online] ods.od.nih.gov. Available at:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/.
3- Zhang, F.F., Barr, S.I., McNulty, H., Li, D. and Blumberg, J.B. (2020). Health effects of
vitamin and mineral supplements. BMJ, [online] 369. Available at : doi:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2511.