Persuasive Speech

Name: Ramona Harris
Topic: Taking supplements are unnecessary and can be harmful
Proposition: There is no concrete evidence that supports the claim that supplements are beneficial if you are already eating a well balanced diet
Audio/Visual Aids: PowerPoint

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Attention: How many of you take supplements everyday? How many of you actually research the kind of supplements that you take everyday? Most people say it makes them feel healthier or they believe it will prevent chronic diseases. But you may be surprise to know that what is in your bottle and on the label is not strictly regulated. And there is no system in place to collect reports of adverse side effects.
B. Credibility: I myself was victim of taking supplements without fully being aware of the side effects; I was combining my aspirin and herbal supplements, which caused me to have nosebleeds.
C. Proposition: My goal is to make you aware that taking supplements is not beneficial and can be dangerous
D. Speech Preview: It is unnecessary to take supplements it’s harmful, cannot be a food substitute has bad side effects and can cause death.

Transition: Now, I will give you a few reasons why you should not take supplements.

B. BODY A. First Argument or Reason Taking supplements can be harmful

1. Age does matter when taking supplements
2. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding medications that are may be safe for adult can cause harm to the fetus or your breast –feeding infant.
3. Children and Older adults metabolize medication differently. Only a few supplements have been tested on children and established safe for children.

Transition: Not only supplements can be harmful, eating a balanced diet is the key

B. Second Argument or Reason Supplements are not intended to be a food substitute

1. There is no need for most people to take supplements. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans made it very clear that your nutritional needs should be met primarily through your diet.
2. Supplement use in relation to all-cause mortality in the Iowa women’s health study from 1986-2004 showed that older women who took a daily supplement everyday had increased deaths compared to those who did not take supplements.
3. Supplements can’t replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables will ensure to get your vitamins, minerals antioxidants to keep you healthy and to boost your immune system.

Transition: Depending on your health situation and your eating habits, dietary supplements may not be worth the expense. Also, taking supplements can cause overdose.

C. Third Argument or Reason
Misguided self-medication of supplement has been proven to cause undesirable effects or can lead to death.
1. Self-medicating can cause overdose even with supplements
2. Taking too much iron can cause nausea and vomiting and may damage the liver and other organs.
3. The main problems with taking supplements are uncertainties and misunderstandings about the proper dose and combination with other medications. People often take large doses of vitamins, believing that if the small amounts of nutrients in foods are good, then a lot of them must be better.

Transition: Now, lets go over what I have talked about

C. CONCLUSION
A. Summary Again, taking supplements are unnecessary and harmful to your health. Always consider the risk of taking supplements, get the facts and consult your Doctor before taking any supplements.
B. Audience Challenge: According to Dr. Marcia Angell, Since 1994, Any herbal remedies sold as dietary supplement –no matter what their real purpose – the FDA has no authority over them.
C. Proposition
Fruits and vegetable a day, takes the need of supplements away!
D. Decision-Maker
You should stop looking for health in a pill, Health is not found in pills, but in good food and regular exercise. When it comes to supplements, what you don’t know might very well kill you – Sound Unreal? Think about it… Only you can stop this!