Fun and Fitness: Natural vitamins do a body good

An apple a day really does help you keep the best possible physique

It's undisputable that we need vitamins. They are essential for growth and development. Our bodies cannot manufacture most of them and they must come from our diet. Some people think that if you take vitamins by the handful, you don't have to watch what you eat.

If only it were so easy.

However, many studies have shown that vitamins from supplements do not act on the body in the same way as vitamins from foods.

Dietitians, nutritionists and other experts are all agreed that apart from small groups of people in special medical circumstances, most of us don't need to take vitamins or food supplements. We can get what we need from a balanced diet.

One of the most important pieces of advice they generally give is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. These are the foods that are nutrient rich, vitamin rich and mineral rich. Current advice is to try to have five portions per day. This can be quite the task and many people don't even have half the recommended quantity. Fruits and veggies contain many other plant substances, known as phytochemicals, which can't be put in a bottle or made into a pill.

There are always exceptions to the rule where certain groups may need vitamin supplements. Pregnant women, sun deprived people, vegetarians, malnourished people and intense sports enthusiasts may fall into this category. For nutrition and training purposes, you only need to take the most basic and inexpensive multivitamin as a precaution.

A further reason to avoid mega doses of vitamins is that they can have toxic effects. We do need vitamins, but more isn't always better. It's not that food or vitamin supplements are bad, they're just unnecessary for most of us. And you laughed when your mom told you an apple a day keeps the doctor away.