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Food vs. Supplements

Lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens are great sources of vitamin K.

New research shows that eating nutritious food can reduce mortality rates. This research was conducted by the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. They collected data from over 27,000 adults ages 20 and older.

When comparing consumption of nutritious food versus dietary supplements, there is evidence that getting certain nutrients from food reduces rates of all-cause mortality. Dietary supplements do not show any reduction. They found the following:

  • Lower risk of death from eating foods with adequate vitamin K and magnesium;
  • Lower risk of cardiovascular disease from foods with adequate vitamin K, vitamin A, and zinc;
  • Higher rates of death from cancer when more than 1,000 mg/day Calcium were consumed from supplements.

Source: https://bit.ly/2DbfLP3

 

About Karen Blakeslee

The Rapid Response Center was formed in 1995 as a resource for Kansas State University Research & Extension Agents. Resource topics included Food Science, Human Nutrition, Food Service, Textiles, Home Care and other consumer topics. Since that time, the Center has grown to be of valuable assistance to Kansas State University Extension Specialists in those areas.

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