An ageing population, combined with a growing awareness around health issues, is fuelling the demand for a variety of vitamin supplements. The food supplements industry is now estimated to be worth a staggering US$50bn a year. But how much of this due to slick advertising exploiting peoples’ health fears and natural vulnerability?

Although many people believe taking vitamins has health benefits, a recent study suggests they don’t help you live longer. This 2008 study found that that 13.1% of people taking vitamin supplements died over the course of the studies, compared with 10.5% of people who were either taking nothing or a placebo pill.

Given most vitamins can be obtained from a balanced diet, and vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, are we being taken for a very expensive ride?

So many people trying to get that quick fix. Waste of money for me until I improve my diet. No good having vitamins for breakfast and pie for morning tea.

i think taking certain level of supplement is alright as long as you don't over-do it because living in the modern world we are prone to a lot of vitamin and mineral deficiencies - even if you eat a balanced diet and live a health life it does not mean you will absorb all the vitamins and minerals you need. Better to be safe than sorry but on the other hand you dont want to eat 10-20 vitamin pills a day as that's a bit over-killing it

The next thing we'll be taken for a ride on is apparently sleep apnea machines. This is the latest way to suck money out of consumers in the USA. A friend just told me about this and I quote (totally without asking his permission):

"As far as I know sleep apnea was non-existent 25 years ago. Now it is a multi-billion dollar industry.

If you snore, you probably have sleep apnea.
If you are over 50, you probably have sleep apnea.
If you are overweight, you probably have sleep apnea.

There are six guys on my trivia competition team. I'm the oldest and the youngest is 50. Three of us are on sleep apnea machines

It's become so popular with doctors, though, because the machines can run from $500 to $3000 dollars and I'm sure physicians get a part of that"

Makes vitamins seem a little benign...

Companies certainly got rich selling vitamin supplements to the public as certain diets that lack variety can be deficient in certain nutrients. But then taking it to the extreme has the following problems:
But too much vitamin C or zinc could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Too much selenium could lead to problems including hair loss, gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.
Too much vitamin A may include nausea, blurred vision, and dizziness.

If you look on the Net the list goes on, but l guess you can’t go wrong with the Rule of Thumb “everything in moderation”

I think I saw a docomentary on Vitamin supplements on tv asking the very same question. The conclusion was that vitamin supplements make very expensive urine and no proof that they improve your health. You can get your daily vitamins just by eating a well balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, nuts, whole grain bread, meat, dairy and seafood.
The marketing and media industry are a powerful force in manipulating people to become repeat customers of consumer products.

MMMM i'M MIXIND ON THIS AS I AM CURRENTLY TAKING WOMENS HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS DURING MY PREGNANCY AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN IT REDUCES SPINA BIFIDA BUT MY TODDLER IS CURRENTLY TRIALING SUPPLEMETS & INSTEAD OF HER COLD GETTING BETTER SHE SEEMS TO HAVE PICKED UP ANOTHER BUG.

I Have found a wonderful place to get the computer softwares. Such as windows 7 key, office key and all kinds of antivirus software. It is very cheap and useful. It can save your money and make your computer complete. Are you interested ? http://www.keyyeah.com , it will not let you down .

I take vitamins once in a while, when I think of it. I figure that's probably as good as anything. And we have gummy bear multivitamins for the kids. We give them one when they have the hiccups, which cures the hiccups (as any candy does) and they get the occasional multivitamin. Works for us.

I figure it's fine to take a few of them every once in a while if there is something in your diet that is really lacking, like if you need extra iron or something but it's unnecessary to take them for everything. Just make sure you're healthy and eating a balanced diet, and you shouldn't have too much to worry about.