Do you think that we should be taking Vitamin and Mineral Supplements? If so, your reasons why?

In theory I think we should if, (and only if), we are lacking some of the vitamins or minerals that we need. If you are eating a balanced diet then probably no need. I take them (at least when I remember!) because I'm a vegetarian, and suspect that I don't get all the nutrients I need from my not always very balanced diet.

I take vitamin supplements with iron every morning to ensure that I receive my recommended daily allowance. I try to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, but sometimes with busy schedules it means I don't eat very regularly throughout the day. I take extra iron in the autumn throughout the winter as a precaution as I can become anaemic very quickly.

There are some who believe (often doctors) that the only reason for taking supplements is if your diet is poor. That is to say you do not have a balanced intake of a small amount of protein, rather more in the way of carbohydrates and an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetable (preferably uncooked). If you diet includes all of these they reason that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

This may well be true of vitamins as long as you have a diverse range of fruit and veg. However with regard to minerals this may well not be the case. Some authorities believe that after so many hundreds of years of intensive farming most of the minerals have been taken out of the ground.

They are taken up by plants (and grazing animals via grass) and once they are taken out they are not replenished by the usual farming methods as only nitrates are used to fertilise the land. A whole range of minerals are needed both to replenish land and subsequently human bodies. Organic farming methods are rather better at this as they use animal dung as fertiliser so that whatever minerals have not been taken up by the animal are excreted and put back onto the land in theory.

The depletion of the mineral content of land has been measured and is somewhat alarming.

I drink lots of freshly made vegetable juice, which helps. Juice can wipe out many deficiencies. However, I think it is good idea to take a multivitamin and some extra magnesium and calcium.

Let's just say that I see it as an extra backup, especially on days when I don't make juice.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.