Question 1
Often when a nutrient is credited for decreasing risk of chronic diseases, consumers turn to supplements. However purified antioxidant supplements were in some cases associated with increased risk of chronic disease. How could you explain this to a client? What strategies would you use to encourage them to consume antioxidants through food sources?
posted by Kaitlin Faletti @ 6:55 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
I would share with my client that most people are able to meet their nutritional needs by eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods. I would further explain that the power of antioxidants is often linked to the package in which nature places them and that current literature indicates that the body does not absorb antioxidants in supplemental form as well as it does foods. For example, there are thousands of phytochemicals within a single tomato that work synergistically together. Purified antioxidant supplements currently do not capture this complexity. I’d also let my client know that some studies do indicate that purified antioxidant supplements can be quite dangerous (e.g., beta-carotene supplementation increases the risks of lung cancer among smokers). However, the evidence is strong that people who consistently eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables—the foods that contain natural antioxidants—frequently have less incidence of disease. These foods often have a strong dark color, and include berries, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and soy. I would finally point out that fresh fruits and vegetables are less likely to break the bank as many antioxidant supplements are somewhat expensive.
First off, most people that take supplements are predominately more health conscious than those who don't take supplements, so some of the time the supplement components will be excreted and unused. But anyways, I would explain to my client that eating F/V's also have other vitamins and minerals attached to them that a supplement wouldn't have. Also, I could explain to them (if weight loss is a goal) that eating F/V's will help fill their stomach resulting in less food consumed. Another point I would make is that supplements have such big quantities of vitamins and minerals that your body can't even absorb all at once, i.e. calcium. Lastly, some people make the mistake of taking a handful of supplements at one time AND on an empty stomach. So the body isn't able to absorb much of the supplement(s). F/V's are the way to go!
I would explain to my client that fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that fight free radicals that cause chronic diseases such as cancer. Much of the public does not understand what a free radical is and the importance of antioxidants. I agree with Carly that I would tell them how these nutrients are better absorbed when eaten in food than taken as a supplement. Many people do not think that vegetables taste good so giving them great tasting recipes to add vegetables to their diet could be beneficial. Also many people choose not to eat fruit because they think they are expensive, which they can be if bought out of season. Also the fruit taste so much better and a much better product when bought in season. Giving them a list of fruits and when they are in season could maybe help them increase the amount of fruit that they eat because it is easier on the wallet.
Sarah S said...
I would talk to my client about the fact that there is a lot of evidence that shows that all of these nutrients (phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals) work in conjunction with each other in order to be absorbed by the body, and that often the body does not absorb one nutrient by itself when taken in a supplement form. All of them need to be present for proper absorption, which is how nature packages them for us. In order to really get the most nutrients, and for them to be absorbed by the body, I would tell my client that eating fruits and vegetables is the way to go. I would encourage the client to eat the kinds of fruis and vegetables they like, and (if they were open to it) to try a new one once every week or every other week, just to see if they liked it and to try to expand their horizons, which makes it easier to stick with eating fruits and vegetables, as they would be less likely to get bored with them quickly. I would try to find them helpful tips on how to prepare them and good recipes they could use.
Sarah S said...
I agree with Lynetta that often supplements are very expensive, and would try to point that out to my client. Letting them know which f/v are in season, and therefore less expensive, would help them to see how affordable it can be to eat f/v's.
When talking with my client I would first explain what an antioxidant is and what it can do in our body. I would then explain how research is showing that our body does not utilize antioxidants well from a supplement, but does so from whole fruits and vegetables. When you eat whole F/V you're getting more than just one antioxidant, you're getting hundreds, as well as other pytochemicals, fiber ect. Our body uses all of these plant nutrients for our overall health, and not just one antioxidant. I would encourage them to increase their F/V intake by discussing some tips for how to include them, referring them to recipes, and discussing how they can be bought within their budget.
I agree with Carly and Beth's comments regarding some of the misconceptions/challenges behind the issue. Learning what motivates the client to choose supplements over food sources of antioxidants is a great first place to start when addressing this topic.
I would come right out and tell the client that it is always better to get things such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc from the natural food source. I would explain to them that supplements can contain fillers of unknown things and have a wide variety of dosage between each pill in the bottle. I would also tell them that it has been proven that by getting the nutrients from the food. The nutrients are utilized better and you get many more benefits such as fiber and other vitamins and minerals if you eat food instead of a pill. I would end it with the point that supplements can actually harm instead of help, so not only are they missing out on other nutrients they are harming themselves instead of helping.
I think Emily made a good point in saying that she would give them some recipes and help them fit everything into their budget. I think it would also be important to point out the cost of the supplement and how much fruits and vegetables they could get with that money.
I would educate the client on how important it is to consume our vitamins and minerals through food sources. Not only is it more effective in preventing oxidative damage, but consuming whole foods also provides other important nutrients such and fiber and phytochemicals that have not yet been developed in a supplement form. Because these clients would most likely already have an interest in their health, a strategy I would use to promote food sources of antioxidants would be fresh and interesting recipes using less popular fruits and vegetables. This way, the client is encouraged to step out of their normal routine and try new fruits and vegetables they may not be familiar with.
Erin, I love your first sentence since I can so see you coming out right and telling them the truth. Also, you had a very good point about the unknown fillers found in pills and they aren't always regulated by the FDA. I agree with everyone stating that they are more expensive than getting the vitamins and such through one's diet.
I would explain the importance and increased benefits of whole food use over supplementation and then explain the possible risks of using supplements. I would also offer resources to the client with whole food sources of different antioxidants and encourage a variety of foods and a balanced diet in order to get all the nutrients in without the need for supplements.
I thought Carly brought up a great point that people who are already taking supplements are more health conscious and it is important to understand the level of understanding of the client in order to educate them at a level they will understand the take home message.
I would first praise the client for being conscious about their health enough to be interested in supplements. I would also explain that it is possible to have too much of a good thing. I would use the illustration that when there is so much of one nutrient in the body, the extra might float around and cause damage, kind of like bored kids who vandalize because they don't have anywhere else to be or anything to keep them busy. Everything in the body needs balance including the good nutrients. When you eat whole foods with that supplement, it is like a community where people with different skills work together to get things done and keep harmony. Someone might be good at building, someone might have an artistic eye, and someone might be good at networking with others. Together they make a pleasing result, where by themselves something might be missing. Nutrition is the same way, and everything works together. I would work with the client to see what their likes and dislikes are to see how they can integrate whole foods into their diet.
Carly, I agree. Usually people taking supplements are more aware of their health than those who might not. Absorption & utilization is a big issue with supplements, particularly if they are of poor quality or if people aren't taking them correctly (e.g. taking fat soluble vitamins without eating fats with them).
I agree with Erin that discussing how supplements can contain fillers and different dosage since they're not regulated by FDA.
I agree that it is important to point out the difference in cost between expensive supplements, that are not regulated by the FDA and cheap, is season, fruits and vegetables.
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