Vitamin Supplements: Today’s Sugar Pills
By Heather Henderson
For years, vitamin supplements, usually taken in pill form, were heralded as one of the keys to a good health. Many people hoped that taking vitamin supplements would reduce the risk of common ailments. Unfortunately, they have not lived up to that promise. Not only may vitamin supplements lack nutritional benefits, they may also be harmful.

First of all, vitamin supplements simply do not help people stay healthy. For example, after reviewing several research studies published in the last several years, medical researchers have found that those who take vitamin supplements are at just as a high risk for heart disease as those who do not. Also, the researchers found that vitamin C supplements are not effective in treating or preventing the common cold.

Additionally, there is a chance that taking vitamin supplements may actually be harmful. Some of those same studies found that smokers who took vitamin E supplements had a higher risk of developing lung cancer than smokers who did not take it. Additionally, less serious symptoms, such as gastrointestinal issues and hair loss, may occur in those who overdose on vitamin supplements.

Vitamin supplements are expensive. With no benefits and even some risks, why take them? It is becoming increasingly apparent that vitamin supplements are the modern age’s version of the sugar pill, with their benefits existing only in the users mind.

What evidence does the author provide to support his claim that vitamin supplements can be harmful?

A. Those who take vitamin supplements are just as high a risk for heart disease as those who do not.

B. With no benefits and even some risks, why take them?

C. Smokers who took vitamin E supplements had a higher risk of developing lung cancer than smokers who did not take it.

D. Gastrointestinal issues or hair loss may occur in those who overdose on vitamin supplements.