Page 63 - Prevention (February 2020)

MYTH #4
Gummies are just as good as pills.
MYTHBUSTER Gummy vitamins can be helpful to people who aren’t
able to swallow tablets or capsules. But otherwise, you may want
to hit the brakes on them. In fact, a 2017 analysis by ConsumerLab,
a company that conducts safety and quality testing of consumer
products, found that four out of five gummy products failed their
tests, the highest rate of any supplement type. Gummies that
didn’t receive a passing grade often had different amounts of
ingredients than those listed on the label, and some contained
impurities. “We’re seeing improvements since 2017, but
we’re still concerned,” says Tod Cooperman, M.D.,
president of ConsumerLab. His advice? Check
for those third-party certifications, and opt
for tablets or capsules when possible.

MYTH #5
You pee out what
you don’t need.

MYTHBUSTER Sometimes. With
water-soluble vitamins, your body
absorbs what it needs and flushes
out most of what it doesn’t through
your kidneys, but fat-soluble
vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored
in your body’s fat deposits. “That
means they’re more likely to build
up to toxic levels if you’re regularly
exceeding the upper limits,” says
Kitchin. Even water-soluble vitamins
can cause problems if taken in
excess. Megadoses of vitamin C, for
instance, can trigger tummy upset
like cramps and diarrhea. And too
much zinc may compromise your
immune system or lower your HDL
(“good” cholesterol). Unless your
doctor tells you otherwise, be sure
your dose doesn’t exceed the daily
recommended value for the vitamins
inside the bottle. F E B R UA RY 2020 • PREVENTION.COM 59