The negative effects of psychiatric drugs, including those used to treat depression and dementia, outweigh the positives, an expert on clinical trials has suggested.
Professor Peter Gøtzsche, the director of the Nordic Cochrane Centre at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, has argued that the “minimal” benefits of psychiatric drugs are not enough to justify the deaths of more than a million people aged over 65 in the Western world each year.
In a controversial article in the British medical Journal (BMJ), he went on to say that drug trials do not accurately evaluate the side effects of taking many types of medication at once, and said that deaths in such trials are under-reported.
Citing a study by the US’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA), he said he estimated that there are 15 times more suicides among people than is claimed.
He added that his own trial of dementia patients, whom he studied because they are likely to take less drugs than other patients, showed the death rate was 1 per cent higher than those who took a placebo.
50 best foods for healthy living
50 best foods for healthy living
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1/50 Digestion
Live yoghurt - Many with digestive issues avoid dairy, but live yoghurt may be worth a shot, as it is full of gut-friendly bacteria. Because the lactose in live yoghurt is effectively broken down, it is gentler on the system than milk.
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2/50 Digestion
Chia seeds - Just two tablespoons of chia seeds provide a third of your recommended daily intake of fibre.
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3/50 Digestion
Sauerkraut - Fermented foods like sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) is packed with probiotics, aiding digestion.
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4/50 Digestion
Lentils - High in insoluble fibre, lentils are great for digestion, as well as being regarded as beneficial in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.
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5/50 Digestion
Buckwheat - Despite the name, buckwheat is completely wheat and gluten free and a great, high fibre alternative to anyone with a wheat intolerance.
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6/50 Immune system
Oranges - Citrus fruits such as oranges are high in Vitamin C, which helps to prevent colds and infection.
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7/50 Immune system
Mushrooms - Shiitake mushrooms have been shown in studies to boost the production of white blood cells, thus improving the body’s ability to fight infection.
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8/50 Immune system
Clams - Contain zinc and selenium, which helps to slow the body’s immune response and control inflammation.
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9/50 Immune system
Garlic - Packed with antioxidants, garlic was used to fight gangrene in World War I, but more practically can help to keep colds at bay. It is also quite anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, and used to treat everything from psoriasis to athlete’s foot.
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10/50 Immune system
Broccoli - One cup of broccoli provides you with almost 100% of your RDA of vitamin C, which is thought to stave off colds and other illnesses. It is also rich in vitamin A, K, folate and potassium. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli contain a sulphurous compound that studies show can lower the risk of cancer.
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11/50 Skin, hair and nails
Avocado - The good fats in avocado hydrate the skin, while omega 9 can help reduce redness. Avocado is also rich in vitamin E, which helps guard against sun damage and vitamin C, which helps produce elastin and collagen for skin firmness.
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12/50 Skin, hair and nails
Sunflower seeds - a handful contains more than a third of your daily vitamin E needs.
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13/50 Skin, hair and nails
Pumpkin - One of the richest sourcs of Vitamin A, which is essential for the formation of connective tissue, i.e. skin.
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14/50 Skin, hair and nails
Olive oil - The monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil plump the skin for a more youthful look, plus antioxidant polyphenols may curb ageing free-radicals.
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15/50 Skin, hair and nails
Green tea - Polyphenols in green tea could help to offset sun damage.
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16/50 Weight loss
Cinnamon - This spice is a great additive for breakfasts and bakes if you are trying to cut sugar and sweeteners, and it is also thought to help balance blood sugar.
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17/50 Weight loss
Apples - Apples are high in pectin, a soluble fibre that helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
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18/50 Weight loss
Eggs - One of the best sources of protein, eggs help to keep you energised and prevent unhealthy snacking, while providing a host of vitamins and minerals for general good health.
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19/50 Weight loss
Tuna- High in protein, low in saturated fat and rich in omega 3, tuna is a fantastic option for maintained weight loss. The omega 3 in oily fish improves the body’s response to insulin, lowering metabolism and helping to prevent the dreaded sugar spikes.
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20/50 Weight loss
Oats - High in fibre for slow-release energy, oats also are thought to lower cholesterol.
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21/50 Heart health
Beetroot - This is a good source of iron and folic acid. It is also rich in nitrates, which help to reduce blood pressure.
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22/50 Heart health
Garlic - High in manganese, selenium and antioxidants, garlic is thought to help lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol.
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23/50 Heart health
Asparagus - Rich in the amino acid asparagine, which serves as a natural diuretic and helps rid the body of excess salts. This is beneficial for people have high blood pressure or other heart-related diseases.
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24/50 Heart health
Salmon - Studies have found that eating oily fish such as salmon can lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids,
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25/50 Heart health
Pomegranate - Rich in vitamins A, C and E, and high in fibre, pomegranates are thought to help protect against heart disease. A 2004 study showed evidence that daily consumption helped to alleviate narrowed arteries and reduce cholesterol.
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26/50 Brain health
Mackerel - Oily fish including mackerel is rich in Omega 3, which studies have suggested is linked to a reduced risk of dementia, schizophrenia and depression, as well as enhanced memory.
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27/50 Brain health
Hazelnuts - HIgh in Vitamin E, which studies say can help to prevent cognitive decline in older people.
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28/50 Brain health
Blueberries - low in calories and high in antioxidants, blueberries are regarded as a nutritional powerhouse. Some studies have found a link between blueberry consumption and improved spatial learning and memory.
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29/50 Brain health
Cacao - Contains phenylethylamine, which acts as a mild mood enhancer, and a 2009 study shows signs that it can help to reduce stress. However, adding sugar and milk to cacao to make your favourite chocolatey treat offsets any health benefits - try to keep it as close to its natural state as possible.
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30/50 Brain health
Pumpkin seeds - Just a handful of pumpkin seeds a day provide your total RDA of zinc, which is important for enhancing your memory.
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31/50 Energy
Sweet potatoes - Starchy veg like sweet potatoes are a great source of low-GI carbohydrates for slow-burn, long-lasting energy. Sweet potatoes are also rich in soluble fibre and vitamins A, C and B6.
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32/50 Energy
Beef - Low energy levels are often a sign of iron deficiency or anaemia. Lean cuts of beef are a good source of iron, as well as being a protein powerhouse to aid muscle development and stamina.
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33/50 Energy
Brown Rice - Complex carbohydrates like brown rice break down into energy-boosting sugars more slowly than white rice, meaning more energy for longer, and more balanced blood sugar levels - i.e. no nasty sugar crash within hours of eating.
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34/50 Energy
Bananas - A great source of energy that keep sugar levels balanced, plus the sweet taste will help to satisfy cravings.
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35/50 Energy
Quinoa - This supergrain contains more protein than rice or any other grain, ideal for building muscle, along with being a nutrient-rich source of carbohydrates.
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36/50 Bone health
Sardines - Sunshine is the best source of bone-building Vitamin D, but if a British summer doesn’t allow for that, sardines are a surprising source, as well as being rich in calcium.
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37/50 Bone health
Brussel sprouts - Just three-quarters of a cup of this divisive winter vegetable provides your RDA of vitamin K, which is essential in helping the absorption of calcium for healthy bones.
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38/50 Bone health
Chickpeas - High in protein and fibre, chickpeas are also packed with iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K, which contribute to building and maintaining strong bones.
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39/50 Bone health
Spinach - If dairy isn’t your thing, spinach could be your saviour - a cup of cooked spinach contains a quarter of your calcium needs.
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40/50 Bone health
Almonds - Rich in potassium, which prevents the excretion of calcium in urine, as well as being rich in protein and other nutrients for maintaining bone health.
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41/50 Men’s Health
Prawns - Rich in zinc, which is essential for sperm quality and fertility.
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42/50 Men’s Health
Tomatoes - high in lycopene, an antioxidant which, according to the World Cancer Research Fund, can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Strangely, cooked and tinned tomatoes are recommended, as the lycopene is more readily absorbed.
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43/50 Men’s Health
Brazil nuts - High in selenium, which boosts the immune system and strengthens the thyroid gland.
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44/50 Men’s Health
Cauliflower - Rich in vitamin C, potassium and boron, which is said to aid in increasing testosterone levels and muscle-building.
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45/50 Men’s Health
Turkey - With obesity an escalating problem for men, turkey is a great swap for your morning bacon. HIgh in lean protein, it is full of B vitamins, which can aid in lowering cholesterol.
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46/50 Women’s Health
Walnuts - These nuts contain antioxidants and phytosterols that may help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
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47/50 Women’s Health
Green beans - Low in fat, bean are a great source of protein and fibre and can also help to guard against breast cancer and heart disease. Isoflavones in beans, chickpeas and lentils help with the regulation of hormones, easing PMS and menopause symptoms.
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48/50 Women’s Health
Flax - One of the oldest sources of fibre in the world, flaxseed can ease digestion as well as providing omega 3 fatty acids. It is also thought to be of help with menopause, but some experts say it should be avoided if pregnant.
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49/50 Women’s Health
Cranberries - Rich in anthocyans, red berries such as cranberries help to play a role in cell repair and are thus thought to reduce cancer risk. Also high in vitamin C and folic acid, essential for women of childbearing age, and cranberry juice is a fantastic way to get rid of cystitis.
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50/50 Women’s Health
Tofu - A great source of phytoestrogens, which can help with the symptoms of menopause and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
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Professor Gøtzsche went on to express his concerns of three classes of drugs - antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants – which he said were responsible for 3,693 deaths every year in Denmark.
By scaling up this figure to relate to the US and the EU combined, he estimated that 539,000 people die annually because of these medications.
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“Given their lack of benefit, I estimate we could stop almost all psychotropic drugs without causing harm - by dropping all antidepressants, ADHD drugs, and dementia drugs (as the small effects are probably the result of unblinding bias) and using only a fraction of the antipsychotics and benzodiazepines we currently use,” he wrote.
He added: “This would lead to healthier and more long lived populations. Because psychotropic drugs are immensely harmful when used long-term, they should almost exclusively be used in acute situations and always with a firm plan for tapering off, which can be difficult for many patients.”
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However, Allan Young, professor of mood disorders at King's College London, and psychiatric patient John Crace said psychiatric drugs are as beneficial as other treatments used for common, complex medical conditions.
“More than a fifth of all health-related disability is caused by mental ill health, studies suggest, and people with poor mental health often have poor physical health and poorer (long-term) outcomes in both aspects of health,” they wrote in the BMJ.
The pair also insisted that psychiatric drugs are “rigorously examined for efficacy and safety, before and after regulatory approval”.
Additional reporting by PA
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