Description
The focus of this exercise is an analysis of a vitamin or mineral supplement.You will analyze a supplement of your choice (multivitamin, single vitamin or mineral, or another supplement) focusing on nutrients included, appropriate/inappropriate amounts of nutrients, the safety of the supplement, and general impression of its utility.
Step One
Choose a supplement to analyze — either a supplement you have at home, one you purchase, or a picture of the label of a supplement container. If you have questions about if the supplement you’ve chosen meets the assignment requirements or if there is enough literature/research on the topic, please reach out to the instructor.
Step Two
You may create a one-page double-spaced summary including a written summary of the supplement reviewing the items outlined below.
Deliverables
Written reflection on the supplement
Overview of the supplement including who its branded consumer is (gender or age-specific?) and the vitamins, minerals, or other ingredients it contains.
Based on the branded consumer and the appropriate RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance or AI (Adequate Intake) for the included vitamin or minerals (if it is a multivitamin, pick one to focus on), discuss if the supplement includes appropriate or inappropriate amounts of nutrients based on it’s branded/targeted consumer.
If RDA’s do not exist, discuss the existing scientific literature or professional consensus on the supplement.
It is not sufficient to say “there is no research on this topic” so if you choose a less common supplement, please think critically about how you will present the information.
Description of the safety of the supplement and general impression of its utility.
Are there any concerns about the amount of the vitamin or mineral in the supplement? Are there other ingredients or additives that could be harmful?
Based on who the supplement is branded for and the information you have on the RDA and research you’ve done, is it necessary or useful for individuals to take?
A brief discussion of a news article/peer-reviewed journal article focusing on the nutrients included in your supplement (if it is a multivitamin choose one to focus on).
For example: If it is a biotin supplement are the claims for skin/hair/nail support true? If it is a prenatal vitamin does it have folate vs. folic acid and what does research show about these?
You should be able to tie in the peer-reviewed article you include to the question above on either supplement safety or utility.
