To what extent is the intake of dietary supplements related to nutrient intake and mortality?

In this blog post, we will deal with the study on exactly this topic What is at stake?

Is there a link between dietary supplementation, nutrient intake and mortality in US adults? Previous studies have found that over half of U.S. citizens take dietary supplements. The connections between advantages and disadvantages are controversial. The general research opinion reports neither advantages nor disadvantages. However, other studies also show undesirable results in connection with the use of dietary supplements, especially at high doses. The following study dealt with this issue in detail and examined the relationship between the use of dietary supplements and mortality in a sample of U.S. adults. The study also examined various diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. In addition, it was examined to what extent a sufficient or excessive intake of nutrients is related to mortality and whether the intake of nutrients from natural foods differs from that of synthetic dietary supplements. The participants were questioned at regular intervals about their diet and intake of dietary supplements. The most commonly used vitamin supplements were vitamin C , vitamin E and vitamin D. The most commonly used minerals were calcium, zinc and magnesium. The results indicate that the use of dietary supplements was not associated with mortality. However advantages could not be proven also not, since users of food auxiliary means generally had a higher standard of living and often nourished themselves and lived healthier, than not users of food auxiliary means. Also, no connection could be made between the intake of dietary supplements and death from cancer or cardiovascular disease. However, there were indications in the study that the excessive intake of some nutrients could lead to adverse effects. Thus, a connection between an increased amount of calcium and cancer mortality could be established. The difference between calcium from dietary supplements and food can be explained by the different effects on circulating calcium: High food intake can lead to decreased intestinal absorption and increased urinary excretion, while long-term supplementation does not reduce circulating calcium levels. In summary, the use of dietary supplements has not been associated with mortality among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults: “Although adequate nutritional intake from food may contribute to a lower risk of death, excessive intake from supplements may increase mortality. The potential risks and health benefits of using dietary supplements must be further evaluated in future studies. (https://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2730525/association-among-dietary-supplement-use-nutrient-intake-mortality-among-u) Composition of drinking meals? But what does this study mean for our diet and our use of drink meals? Many drinking meals that advertise a complete supply of nutrients consist of synthetic nutrients or contain artificially added nutrients. Suppliers such as Soylent or Mana are based on these same synthetic nutrients. The European manufacturer Huel also uses a micronutrient blend to add vitamins and minerals to their product. So why organic? According to the law, only genuine food may be contained in an organic product. BERTRAND is the first certified meal drink on the market. In BERTRAND, the nutrients come from food that has been composed to provide what we need. For example, real organic oats provide protein, but also a good portion of unsaturated fatty acids. Algae provide calcium and flaxseed provide not only omega-3 fatty acids but also B vitamins. In addition, organic quality has a lower level of contamination from pesticides or heavy metals, since the cultivation of the food is strictly regulated. The respectful treatment of nature through organic products, the handling of sustainability and fair conditions for farmers are also important points when it comes to organic products. Organic food is also said to have a higher amount of nutrients because it is often grown naturally. For example, longer exposure to the sun provides more vitamin D.

Sources:
https://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2730525/association-among-dietary-supplement-use-nutrient-intake-mortality-among-u
https://www.boelw.de/service/bio-faq/lebensmittel/artikel/sind-bio-lebensmittel-gesuender/