Vitamins Myths Busted?

Recently there has been a lot of talk in the media about vitamins. I read an article in the June 2009 Oxygen magazine called Vitamin Myths Busted and last week on The View there was a doctor giving his opinion about vitamins.
According to this article and this doctor (on The View) people should not use vitamin supplements for the following reasons:
1. People can get all the vitamins and minerals from the foods they eat and most people have adequate access to the types of fruits and vegetables needed to stay healthy.

In my opinion the above reason is ridiculous, adequate access does not equate to adequate use! Unfortunately the average American diet does not include enough fruits, vegetables, or fiber and as a result do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Seriously how many people get the daily requirement of 35 grams of fiber or vitamin D?

2. Supplemental vitamins do not protect against cancer and heart disease.

I found number 2 to be interesting and contradicts many other studies as well as the Journal of American Medical Association who claimed the following: “suboptimal levels of vitamins B6 and B12, are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neural tube defects, and colon and breast cancer; low levels of vitamin D contribute to osteopenia and fractures; and low levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, E, and C) may increase risk for several chronic diseases.”

3. Vitamins are dangerous, poisonous and are not strictly regulated by the FDA.

Considering the FDA often approves drugs that later get pulled off the shelf because of ill side effects such as the recent Zicam Nasal spray ban, I really don’t care if vitamins are restricted by the FDA. Furthermore, many things if taken in excess can be poisonous and dangerous. Alcohol for example can be poisonous, if you take too much Tylenol it can be dangerous and Tylenol is approved by the FDA. Most vitamins have a required daily allowance (RDA) on the bottle, the RDA helps prevent over consumption! Two nutrients that can be toxic if too much is taken include vitamin A and iron but a water soluble vitamin such as C is not generally toxic.
Although I believe in supplementing with vitamins, I don’t think they should be a substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables, but they can be used as insurance against eating a diet poor in nutritional quality!