Instead of writing my own response here I'll use some captains of industry instead. This is from ultra-athlete Steve Born, using stats and quotes from Bill Misner, a PhD of nutrition and an ultra-athlete as well, and Dr. Michael Colgan, one of the most respected athletic trainers in the world.

Every once in awhile this type of story surfaces and re-surfaces (and re-surfaces, etc, etc). You'd think that by now, after so many carnations
of this topic, that it would have run its course. Apparently not.

Regarding the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances), a standard that I
personally feel to be hopelessly outdated, especially for athletes, I like
what Dr. Michael Colgan says:

"Dr. A.E. Harper, former Chairman of the RDA Committee, emphasized (this)
further by stating that the RDAs 'are not recommendations for the ideal
diet.' If you use the RDAs to plan your nutrition, you will never, never
reach your athletic potential."

In regards to vitamin and mineral safety Colgan says:

"One good way to assess the safety of vitamin and mineral supplements is to
compare them with medicines. It's pretty easy to get at the truth. Just read
the annual reports of the Poison Control Centers. For the period 1985-1990,
2251 people died from use of prescription drugs, including 640 from simple
analgesics such as aspirin. Nasty stuff! In the same period the total deaths
from use of vitamins - one - from overdose of niacin. Vitamin A is often
cited in the press as potentially toxic. Total deaths in 1985-1990 -- zero.
Vitamin B6 is often cited in the press as a neurotoxin. Total deaths
1985-1990 -- zero. Vitamin C is used in mega-doses by millions of Americans
every day. Total deaths -- zero. As so on down the list."

I could go on and on but I'll quote Dr. Bill, who covers, in but a couple
sentences, a lot of the things I would take five paragraphs to say: "Our
soils replete only 10% of what they did in all forms of food 50 years ago.
If the food is vitamin/mineral deficient, where will you get the
micronutrients? Exercise proportionately to duration and intensity uses
vitamins and minerals. Anyone who suggests taking low doses of antioxidants
such as vitamin C has no real grasp of the free radical excess both from the
environment, the processed foods, and those that result from either stress
or exercise."

Dr. Bill has an excellent article on our web site entitled "VITAMIN AND
MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS - To take Them Or Not To Take Them, That is The
Question..."

The direct link is:
http://e-caps.com/knowledge/endurancedet.cfm?&id=40&sub=endurance%20library

Sincerely-

Steve Born
Senior Technical Advisor
Event/Athlete Sponsorship Coordinator
www.e-caps.com
1-800-336-1977