The wikipedia link you provided makes it clear that micronutrient deficiency is a serious problem in the developing world but I could not see any factual support in that link for the claim that micronutrients in general have an interesting dose/response curve, or that micronutrient deficiency in the developed world is any kind of problem for the majority of people. You might want to edit that link to reflect the fact that it does not support the claim “actually being true”.
There is some expert support for your view but there is also excellent reason for caution with regard to any claims you might hear about micronutrient supplementation. This is a very popular area with scammers, cranks and the deluded.
I’d be interested in seeing any properly blinded and controlled studies that show that micronutrient intake over the daily requirements has meaningful benefits—if I can gain a few IQ points by eating more fruit and vegies I’ll take that deal.
This is a very popular area with scammers, cranks and the deluded.
On both sides.
but there is also excellent reason for caution with regard to any claims you might hear about micronutrient supplementation.
I’ll note that the caution here, as is so often the case, is with respect to people given (or who themselves decide to take) toxic levels of vitamins A and E. Yes, overdosing on most fat soluble vitamins is a terrible idea. Also, don’t drink mercury.
I’d be interested in seeing any properly blinded and controlled studies that show that micronutrient intake over the daily requirements has meaningful benefits
What are these “daily requirements” that you speak of? The numbers you read on the back of the cereal packet? … But before I get distracted by that can of worms I’ll remind myself that the matter discussed was not regarding higher-than-RDA level vitamin consumption. The claim that Solvent made (then wisely recanted) was that we shouldn’t consume any minerals from supplements. Your breakfast cereal and meat sandwich diet claim was along these lines too.
While I do happen to assert that for certain vitamins (most notably D and much of the B group) the RDI is poorly calibrated the potential for improvement there is comparatively small. The low hanging fruit (so to speak) is in correcting the all too common chronic but mild deficiencies that even the RDI can tell you are way off.
I have experienced cognitive gains that would almost certainly show up on IQ tests by eating better animal sources of micronutrients. Studies would be great.
How big cognitive gains are you talking about? IQ tests have poor test-retest reliability. Have you ever taken an IQ test? eg, SATs. If you did on your prior diet, you could take it again. Do you think that your peak performance has improved or just average?
I scored 1560 / 34 on SAT / ACT and 99th percentile on GMAT as well, if I recall correctly. I’ve never taken an IQ test. I was born in 1984, so by the time I took them the SAT’s were less g-loaded.
I would say average, peak and trough performance all greatly improved, but I can’t quantify it. I felt like a genius, relative to where I had been, and much quicker mentally.
I have no way of returning to my previous diet right now, so I can’t rigorously test this.
The wikipedia link you provided makes it clear that micronutrient deficiency is a serious problem in the developing world but I could not see any factual support in that link for the claim that micronutrients in general have an interesting dose/response curve, or that micronutrient deficiency in the developed world is any kind of problem for the majority of people. You might want to edit that link to reflect the fact that it does not support the claim “actually being true”.
There is some expert support for your view but there is also excellent reason for caution with regard to any claims you might hear about micronutrient supplementation. This is a very popular area with scammers, cranks and the deluded.
I’d be interested in seeing any properly blinded and controlled studies that show that micronutrient intake over the daily requirements has meaningful benefits—if I can gain a few IQ points by eating more fruit and vegies I’ll take that deal.
On both sides.
I’ll note that the caution here, as is so often the case, is with respect to people given (or who themselves decide to take) toxic levels of vitamins A and E. Yes, overdosing on most fat soluble vitamins is a terrible idea. Also, don’t drink mercury.
What are these “daily requirements” that you speak of? The numbers you read on the back of the cereal packet? … But before I get distracted by that can of worms I’ll remind myself that the matter discussed was not regarding higher-than-RDA level vitamin consumption. The claim that Solvent made (then wisely recanted) was that we shouldn’t consume any minerals from supplements. Your breakfast cereal and meat sandwich diet claim was along these lines too.
While I do happen to assert that for certain vitamins (most notably D and much of the B group) the RDI is poorly calibrated the potential for improvement there is comparatively small. The low hanging fruit (so to speak) is in correcting the all too common chronic but mild deficiencies that even the RDI can tell you are way off.
I have experienced cognitive gains that would almost certainly show up on IQ tests by eating better animal sources of micronutrients. Studies would be great.
What sources specifically?
How big cognitive gains are you talking about? IQ tests have poor test-retest reliability. Have you ever taken an IQ test? eg, SATs. If you did on your prior diet, you could take it again. Do you think that your peak performance has improved or just average?
I scored 1560 / 34 on SAT / ACT and 99th percentile on GMAT as well, if I recall correctly. I’ve never taken an IQ test. I was born in 1984, so by the time I took them the SAT’s were less g-loaded.
I would say average, peak and trough performance all greatly improved, but I can’t quantify it. I felt like a genius, relative to where I had been, and much quicker mentally.
I have no way of returning to my previous diet right now, so I can’t rigorously test this.