Yesterday (01/11/10) I had the fortune of watching Dr. Oz on his nationally syndictaed television show. On one segment he brought up an audience member, a woman (his audience is largely female) on stage to perform in an exercise.
On the stage was a table, divided in half by a large red line. On one side of the table were various bowls and plates of fruits, vegetables, beans etc. The other side was empty. Her job was to move whatever foods she thought would equal the minimal or maximal daily requirement (MDR) of nutrients, specifically the five major vitamins: A (vision, nerves), B (metabolism), C (immunity), D (bones, nerves) and E (circulation) and K (clotting) as there are at least six major vitamins.
She started to pick up a big bowl of oranges (5), then put down and ask Dr. Oz could she move piece by piece or bowls? Dr. Oz smirked, laughed then said it doesn't matter, so she started moving bowls and plates of avocado (1), broccoli (large bunch), oranges (5), olives, tomatoesm beans, bananas, etc. She moved quite a bit of food from one side the other.
He then asked the audience if they thought she was right or should she have more or less. Somebody yelled out, moved everything and Dr. Oz said yes. It would take approximately 10- 15 pounds of these foods to equal the nutrition in one to three vitamin pills.
This is utter nonsense, on many levels.
Nutrition is not a one trick pony. It is a scientific and intelligent mixture of major and minor nutrients. The major nutrients by body composition are water (63%+) and protein and fat (33%). The minor nutrients are minerals (4%). Vitamins, enzymes, etc. are less than 1%. Limiting the discussion of nutrition and supplements to vitamins only is not only shortsighted but also misleading and harmful (promotes ignorance).
You canot have a vitamin A or D (fat soluble) deficiency without a much larger deficiency: protein and fat. Nor can yoo have a vitamin C (water soluble) deficiency without a much larger deficiency: fruit and vegetables. Treating a vitamin, enzyme or mineral deficiency, excess witbhout treating the larger deficiency is a waste of the patient's time, energy, money and health.
There are good supplements. Fish liver oil, vitamin E oil, etc. are highly beneficial, especially for children (aids in the development of the nervous system and bones). They do not benefit but intead worsen a clogged liver. They are also, contrary to Dr. Oz, not the same.
There are only two grades of Vitamin E: natural (wheat berries, sesame seeds, etc.) and synthetic. The natural is far more absorbable and potent, just like organic produce. If you do not think organic produce has more nutrition, then you need to start eating organic. Eating is believing. It is also scientific validation.
There are different qualities of supplements. I owned and operated my own health food store for seventeen years (see bio). Supplements were 70% of my business despite the fact that I took no supplements (everyone knew) and always advised food, diet first. My book is largely about diet. The only reason one would supplement his or her diet would be that he, she is not eating the right foods. Why not increase hard cheese,chicken, turkey, eggs and or fish, instead of taking supplements. why not eat more vegetables (root, round and leafy, not salads) instead of taking laxatives to cure constipation. You must realize that every remedy, including laxatives can not only have a long-term negative affect (constipation) but also addiction. When you recommend pills and not diet, you always run the risk of addiction.
When you recommend pills you also divert attention from the real issues. Dr. Oz and modern medicine (he's the Pied Piper), in general, want you to discard the notion that diet, simple foods: fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, milk, cheese, etc. can not only give you the daily nutrition but also cure disease, which is generally caused by poor nutrition: long-term high protein, fat, starch and low vegetables, fruit or low protein, low-fat and high carbohydrate (see Hot and Cold Health and Disease).
He seems to suggest that you would have to eat 10- 15 pounds of produce per day to get the minimum or maximum daily requirement of vitamins (I do not remember him mentioning any other nutrients). Is he, modern science, all doctors telling us that it really does not matter what you eat as long as your take a few, inexpensive supplements? This is what I hear.
Later, he had another ten minute segment in which he and his expert reduced body from food (garlic, curry and a normal, control diet, which does not exist, on his show) into sulfur emissions. he neglected to discuss the sour smell that obese people or those who eat a lot of dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc.) and sugar tend to have sout body odor. He seems to build facts around microscopic points, in my humble opinion (Acupuncture Physician, FL 1992- 2002).
In one-half hour or less he managed to cut, nullify the subject of diet and nutrition into a few pills, just like he (modern medicine) reduced the insomnia patient sleeping pill into a sleeping pill addict, publically humiliated her and then got applause for sending her to rehab, not for curing her insomnia, ruining her health and with narcotic, drug addicting sleeping pills.
The doctors treats one disease, advises pills. The pills are addicting in nature, and should be used lightly and closely monitored. Should be. The doctors treat the addiction with rehab and or more pills. Diet and nutrition is often the last step, resort.
Education not clever replies or remedies cures disease.
Author Resource:-
Acupuncture Physician (FL 1992- 2002). author, Hot and Cold Health and Disease. Available Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Health-Richard-Heft/dp/0974791709 Education not clever remedies cures disease. I can only help you if you buy, read my book.
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