[Solved]: Debunk the Junk: Avoiding the Pitfalls of…

Debunk the Junk: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Supplementation The term trace minerals can be deceiving. It means that some minerals, such as iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, manganese, fluoride, chromium, and molybdenum, are needed in small amounts to keep the body healthy. Even though the body only requires these minerals in small amounts, they’re no less important than minerals the body needs in larger quantities. On the other hand, ingesting larger quantities via supplementation or fortified foods is also not beneficial for you. The supplement market is unregulated, so no limits exist for the amount of a particular nutrient in a supplement. In addition, supplement contents don’t undergo mandatory testing. This lack of testing leaves consumers at a disadvantage, having to trust that the supplement advertising is accurate and truthful. Some less-than-ethical marketers take advantage of these circumstances, exalting the potential health benefits of select minerals, knowing that no checks and balances prevent harm. Ads on the Internet promise great benefits from supplements. How do you know if you’re deficient in a mineral or getting enough of it through diet? When, if ever, is supplementation a good idea? What are the potential pitfalls of mineral supplementation? Let’s take a closer look at supplementing with minerals. We’ll learn to see past the promises of marketing to the true pros and cons of mineral supplementation. View this animation and then answer the questions below. Download transcript One way to avoid getting caught up in mineral supplement ads, or ads for any nutritional supplement for that matter, is to learn how to get proper nutrition from real food. When you learn what your food has to offer you nutritionally and find ways to enjoy those foods, nutritional supplements lose their appeal. If you’re not exhibiting signs and symptoms of deficiency, you don’t need supplements to treat them. Let’s take a closer look at the foods that provide iron, zinc, and magnesium. 1. True or false? There are no side effects from taking large quantities of iron. a. True b. False 2. True or false? As a dietitian, one of your clients has stated that they have been feeling extremely tired and have had headaches and diarrhea. You ask if your client has been taking any vitamin or mineral supplements. The client says that they have been taking 55 milligrams of zinc a day to help prevent colds during the winter months. You suspect that they are suffering from a zinc toxicity. a. True b. False 3. True or false? Even though trace minerals are needed in very small quantities, they cannot cause health problems. a. True b. False 4. What is a potential side effect of drinking a 12-ounce bottle of magnesium citrate? a. Intense relaxation, inhibiting work performance b. Iron chelation c. Fragile bones d. Dehydration