Staying Healthy
Nutrients from food, not supplements, help you live longer
In the journals
An adequate intake of certain nutrients from food, but not supplements, is linked with a lower rate of death, according to a study in the April 9, 2019, Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers looked at the relationship between food and supplements and death from all causes among more than 30,000 adults. The results shows that adequate intakes of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, zinc, and copper were associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease—but only if they came from food and not supplements.
They also found that excess calcium intake from supplements — more than 1,000 milligrams per day — was associated with a higher risk of cancer death. This amount is difficult to reach with food, but is easier with supplements.
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