If I eat a well-rounded diet why do I need supplements?

Two to ten million years of evolution (even before man emerged as we know him today) went into how our body chemistry functions. During the vast majority of those millions of years life expectancy was considerably less than 30 years of age. Natural selection occurred to help an species live long enough to reproduce. No natural selection process occurrs to help achieve longevity beyond the reproductive years.

The best micro and macro nutrient intake for longevity may be quite different from that which maximizes the reproductive process. The needs of the aging population are not necessarily automatically taken care of by a "well balanced" diet. Because of their short life span primitive humans did not need to worry about osteoporosis, vascular disease, and the other effects of aging.

Let's look at three situations where current research definitely
shows a need which is difficult to meet without supplements.

First: It is hard to consume the amount of calcium needed daily to prevent bone loss and eventually osteoporosis. If a person takes a supplement with 500 mg daily the concern about inadequate calcium intake and the possibility of it contributing to osteoporosis can be eliminated. A supplement with 500 mg of calcium requires at least two pills and vitamin supplements consisting of only one or two pills a day simply cannot fill the need.

Second: One needs vitamin E to prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Oxidation of LDL allows it to leave the blood stream and accumulate in artery walls leading to plaque and ultimately closure of blood vessels in the heart, brain, and extremities. A number of studies have shown the value of vitamin E supplementation in preventing strokes and heart attack. The most prominent one is the nurse's study involving over 85,000 individuals. It is virtually impossible to get the amount of vitamin E needed from the diet. Primitive individuals did not have to worry about this because of their short life span.

Third: The B vitamins folic acid, pyridoxine (B6) and cyanocobalamine (B12) reduce serum homocysteine levels. High serum homocysteine levels are related to an increase in vascular disease and mortality from all causes. It has not yet been proven that the lowering of homocysteine level by taking these B vitamins prevents atherosclerosis and death, but it can be safely assumed to do so (in initial studies reducing cholesterol levels was not proven to influence vascular disease). Taking large amounts of these nutrients has not been shown to be associated with any danger.

There are good reason for adding other supplements to a daily program but the reasons are not as compelling. My feeling is that other vitamins and minerals as well as a few plant related compounds plus coenzyme Q-10 should be taken selectively and in moderation in a well-formulated supplement. The Oregon Supplement Plan is such a product.