Skip the multivitamin; Eat Colorful Food

About 60% of the Americans take over-the-counter supplements with the intention of enhancing health. A significant majority actually take a multivitamin once a day as an insurance policy for their otherwise suboptimal diet. Many insist on buying only top brand multivitamin supplements from only the most reputable stores like GNC and Whole Foods. We spent close to $10 billion on multi-vitamin supplements last year.


With the exception of certain specific groups, there has been no conclusive evidence to show that taking a multivitamin enhances or improves health in any way. Study after study has failed to demonstrate reduction of cancers or heart disease risk with vitamins. Several trials have actually shown an increase in risk for cancer in groups of patients that were taking vitamin supplements. Exceptions to this generalization include Folic acid in the prenatal state, Calcium and Vitamin D for bone health, Magnesium in the elderly population, Omega-3 fatty acids, and possibly Co enzyme Q10.

The fact of the matter is this: there is no substitute for eating a balanced, colorful plant-based diet loaded with nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
It is very difficult (probably impossible) to isolate the energy
and wisdom of nature which is present broccoli, an apple or grape. In using reductionist principles of trying to extract an active ingredient we often end up with nothing because we have tampered with the integrity of a treasure provided by mother nature.

Instead, we are much more likely to be nourished by foods that are unmodified, unprocessed, unaltered with all very vibrant colors, smells and flavors that were already extracted from the soil and provided for us by the Earth.

So, the next time you sit down to eat, take a look at your food and see how many sensory characteristics you can find in your plate. The more colorful your food, the more you can be assured that it will provide you with everything you need to be healthy and whole.

Because being healthy is all about being in balance with the universe.