U.S. Men Lack A Wide Range Of Nutrients; Expert Advises Them To Resist The Urge To "Megadose"

MARIETTA, Ga., Aug. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutritional deficiencies affect a variety of Americans for a variety of reasons, but according to the USDA, the U.S. male population is unique because as a whole, men show deficits in nearly every nutritional category. However, experts warn men against mega-dosing on vitamins and minerals to reverse or address the problem.

"I often see that when men find out they are deficient in a vitamin or mineral, they tend to want to fix the problem quickly, and that usually involves taking large amounts of whatever they are lacking," says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, LDN, expert and nationally-recognized nutrition and fitness author. "However, the 'more is better' approach does not always apply, particularly in the case of some dietary supplements."

According to Palinski-Wade, the possible harm that taking mega-doses of a vitamin or mineral can inflict depends largely on whether it is fat-soluable or water-soluable. The fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are stored in the body for use as needed, but this also means that these vitamins can also build up to toxic levels when consumed in excessive amounts. 

Water-soluble vitamins, such as all B and C vitamins must be replaced each day because they are not stored in the body, but this does not mean that you can take vitamins B and C in unlimited quantities. As an example, excessive folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.

According to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutrient needs should be met primarily through consuming foods, but for a large number of Americans, diet just doesn't do the job.  According to the USDA, men between the ages of 31 and 50 would need to eat 350% more dark green vegetables and 150% more fruit every day in order to meet federal dietary guidelines. 

Palinski-Wade advises resisting the urge to overcompensate, and instead use a well-balanced multivitamin to take the guesswork out of supplementation.

"A healthy diet is imperative and I often tell my male and female clients alike to look for an established, trusted product that provides around 100% of the RDA in vitamins and minerals," says Palinski-Wade."Geritol Multivitamin is a good example, as it provides close to 100% of the recommended allowance of 12 essential nutrients without going overboard. It's a safe, easy way to fill the nutritional gaps that many Americans face."

About Meda Consumer Healthcare:
Meda Consumer Healthcare, distributor of Geritol^® Multivitamin is the U.S. over-the-counter division of Stockholm-based Meda AB, a top 50 global specialty pharmaceutical company. For women and men of all ages, Geritol® is the nutritional supplement trusted over time to help enhance vitality by providing the 'right balance' of essential vitamins and minerals.

SOURCE Meda Consumer Healthcare