DuVall 1

Christian DuVall
Mrs. DeBock
English IV
13 March 2015
Research Question: Are there benefits to taking vitamin and mineral supplements?
Working Thesis: Vitamin and mineral supplements are beneficial in the way that they satisfy
any small nutritional gaps in diets.
Refined Thesis: Vitamin and mineral supplementation is advantageous to the public, because
these additional nutrients correct discontinuities in diets, ultimately improving health and
wellbeing, reducing risk of disease, and defying aging.
Annotated Bibliography
"Do I Need Vitamin Supplements?" - Health Questions. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
This article specifically addresses the groups of people who should be taking dietary
supplements. Recently, we have seen a significant increase in the amount of individuals using
supplements. Most people take vitamin and mineral supplements by choice, while others are at
risk of deficiencies. This article intends to encourage individuals to seek essential nutrients
through consuming food, rather than from dietary supplements, as supplements are designed to
add to diets not act as a substitute. While most are encouraged to avoid vitamins and minerals,
experts encourage specific groups of people to take supplements such as pregnant and breast
feeding women, children aged 6 months to five years, the elderly, and individuals who need
vitamins and minerals for specific health reasons. This article will serve as a neutral, unbiased

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point of view. In addition, the article will provide a counterargument, as it addresses the popular,
inaccurate idea that a balanced diet provides all necessary vitamins and minerals.
Gulli, Cathy. "Dietary Supplements Can Be Dangerous to One's Health." Nutrition. Ed. David
Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt.
from "How Vitamins Can Be Hazardous to Your Health." Maclean's 121.15 (21 Apr.
2008). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Although nutrient supplements are generally viewed as safe and beneficial, the article
illustrates these vitamins and minerals as potentially hazardous and destructive. Cathy Gulli
emphasizes these harmful consequences, attributing most impairments to the excess consumption
of supplements. However, the article reports that this excess consumption is ten or more times
higher than the daily recommended intake, therefore overdosing is not as effortless as depicted in
the article. Conversely, the article encourages individuals who suffer from vitamin deficiencies
to utilize dietary supplements. In addition, the article supports the usage of vitamin and mineral
supplements by pregnant women, young children, and the elderly. In sum, Cathy Gulli disagrees
with the usage of nutrient supplements by individuals who can consume a sufficient amount of
nutrients through eating a varied and balanced diet. However, she is accepting of dietary
supplements when additional nutrients are essential to the wellbeing of an individual. This
article will serve as a counterargument source. It will be used to refute the articles portrayal of
vitamins and minerals with clinical studies and trials that support the interpretation of dietary
supplements as valuable and beneficial.
Setright, Russell. "The Setright Letter Multivitamins Nutritional Insurance: Are Multivitamins
Beneficial or of No Use? (Cover Story)." Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine
Society 20.2 (2014): 94-99. Academic Search Complete. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

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This article is specific to evaluating the effectiveness of vitamins and minerals through
numerous studies. Naturopath and Medical Herbalist, Russell Setright reports that supporters
defend vitamins and minerals, asserting that the supplementations improve memory, enhance
wellbeing, and reduce the risks of birth defects, cancer, and macular degeneration to name a few.
On the other hand, Setright acknowledges that critics insist that vitamins are a waste of money,
denouncing the supplements as worthless and insignificant. However, the academic journal
exemplifies several clinical studies and trials that confirm and communicate the efficiency and
productivity of vitamin intake. In fact, Russell Setright continues by focusing on each condition
or illness, concluding each section with evidence of the positive effects of multivitamin
supplementation. This article will defend the use of vitamins and minerals through specific
instances of multivitamin success and satisfaction. In addition, the article will serve as a rebuttal
to the counterargument that depicts vitamins as ineffective and useless.