Pills and supplements have quickly become one of the most popular health fads around, offering a nearly instant remedy for any ailment or condition. While it seems like an easy solution to our health-related problems, new research indicates that vitamins are much more effectively obtained through food than pills.

Recent research suggested that high dose vitamins (taken through pills or supplements) overwhelmed the body and limited the body’s ability to repair or strengthen targeted areas. Instead of helping the body, these high intensity supplements knocked out the body’s ability to fix itself. Researchers were surprised to find out that while the natural vitamins and minerals occurring in food undoubtedly help strengthen the body and protect against illness, the high concentration of antioxidants in vitamins can be dangerous to the body.  

The good news is that there is a simple solution. According to the world famous Dr. Oz, the best thing you can do is spend more time in the produce department. Dr Oz recommends eating five handfuls of fruits and four handfuls of veggies each day. Another tip from Dr. Oz is to go for fruits and veggies of many colors, instead of simply sticking with greens. Dr Oz states, "The more intense the color, the more polyphenols your body gets to shield cells and cool inflammation."