Multivitamin supplements a 'waste of time'
Healthy diet provides all the vitamins needed to prevent serious deficiencies
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Middle-aged women who swallow multivitamin supplements are not doing their health any favours – and are just creating expensive urine, according to the world's largest study into the subject.
Researchers who examined the pill-popping habits of nearly 162,000 American women aged 50 to 79 found that although they swallowed dietary supplements by the bucketload, there was no sign that they reduced common cancers, heart disease or deaths.
People who eat a healthy diet get all the vitamins they need from their food. Any excess of vitamins (the water soluble C, B1, B2 and B6), whether in the food or in dietary supplements, is excreted. Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are stored in the liver and an excess can result in side effects.
"Based on our results, if you fall into the category of the women described here and you do in fact have an adequate diet, there really is no reason to take a multivitamin," said Dr Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, professor of epidemiology at Albert Einstein College, Yeshiva University.
Around half of Americans use vitamin supplements, spending $20bn (£13.4bn) a year on the pills which are believed to improve health and longevity. In Britain, a Food Standards Agency survey last year found 31 per cent of adults claimed to be taking the supplements, which typically cost £7 for a month's supply. The market in the UK is estimated to be worth over £330m a year.
The researchers recorded around 10,000 cases of cancer, 9,000 heart attacks and 10,000 deaths, and compared the incidence among the women who took supplements with those who did not. Marian Neuhouser of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, who led the study published in Archives of Internal Medicine, said: "To our surprise we found that multivitamins did not lower the risk of the most common cancers and also had no impact on heart disease."
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I believe it is unfare to expect vitamins to have a measurable effect on illnesses that are inherited, basic to the bodies DNA, affected by invironment, body mistreatment, medical failure, etc. Did you measure the people that did not take vitamins and studied haow they fared.
If you are someone with a vitamin deficiency, then you will need to take that vitamin, and your doctor is going to tell you. But the vast majority of people have no such deficiency and don't need these pills.
In general, if you each more vitamins and supplements than you need, your body gets rid of the excess without any harmful effects. There are some that if you take in vast quantities will be bad for you.
But basically, if you are not known to have a vitamin deficiency, then you are wasting your time with these things. That is one reason why they are not marketed as a medicine but as a food supplement. They can't be marketed as a medicine because there is no evidence that they do anything.
Save you money and buy more enjoyable food.
For them to be effective you either have to have some serious defect (i.e. genetic defect) or be severely malnourished. The first you will find out eventually and need targeted supplements advised by a doctor; the second you better get some good food in you rather than wasting your money on expensive vitamin pills. Food provides lots of other things you need not just vitamins; you can't survive on vitamin pills alone.
You get all the vitimains from food anyway.
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Multi-vitamins are so safe you could glug an entire bottle without problems and yet the medical profession just keep going on and on about them.
Why is this? Partly their fascist tendancies (they do like to be the boss) and partly a lack of interest in human beings (I love doctors, but I couldn't eat a whole one)
Taking supplements is surely harmless and perhaps a symptom of a failure by the medical profession to deal with peoples day to day well-being.
Suppress a symptom and you don't make the underlying problem go away. The rather obvious desire to ban sales of supplements will not suddenly remove the desire to take them.
Perhaps, oh wise doctors, you could address the problem instead? Start dealing with peoples non-fatal health issues (sense of well-being) and maybe vitamin sales will plummet.
Anyone done that, or know of such a thing?
If that works as a viable diet then all us pill poppers are fine if not, then throw the lot out and go back to eating food for living.
2. Also the article targets middle ages women. Most middle ages adults probably eat well, and the demands on their body (ie not kids/teenagers) is low.
Kind of obvious...
But unfortuately, not everyone does eat well.
Just look at the recommended "portions" of fruit and veg different countries give. In the UK it is 5, in Japan its 10... If you tell someone to eat 5 portions for an ideal range, you know most of them will have 3 or less..
I still think that there is some justification in taking some of these things if one is doing high-intensity physical training, but have now scaled back considerably on my intake of the rest.
I was alarmed to read in the New Scientist a while ago that, far from lengthening one's lifespan, there was statistical evidence to suggest that taking certain vitamin supplements in certain does could, in fact, shorten it!
Of course, neither medical science nor nutrition are exact sciences, and scientists in these areas seem to change their minds - often from one extreme to the other - about the possible harm or benefit of various supplements every few years. This is terribly confusing for the consumer and doesn't exactly instil very much trust or confidence in the pronouncements of these 'experts'.
Two final thoughts:
1. it may even be that there is a placebo effect with certain supplements, and that they do us good simply because we believe they will, and not because of what they contain.
2. It's all very well having educated, affluent, middle-class, suburban professionals (doctors, media health pundits, TV chefs, etc.), lecturing to people about how a 'properly balanced diet' removes the need for dietary supplements, but these people probably live near - or can drive to - quality supermarkets and grocers that stock all the right, health-giving foods, and they can afford to buy them, and they have enough spare time and sufficiently well-equipped kitchens to enable them to prepare properly balanced meals. But just how attainable is this 'food lifestyle' for low-income groups in urban areas, such as students, the unemployed, single-parent families and so on, who might not have quality food outlets near them, and cannot afford to travel to them, or who don't have the money to buy quality foods, or lack the time or the kitchens in which to create healthy, appetizing meals? I sometimes think these smug foodie-types need to come down to earth, stop patronizing people, and realize that having a properly balanced diet is a far more difficult thing to achieve, for both practical and financial reasons, for a lot of people than it is for them. (My own circumstances are that, though I am lucky enough to be able to afford to shop for quality foods, and live in a house with a large, well-equipped kitchen, I rarely have the time or the energy to prepare a balanced evening meal when I get home from work, usually quite late, in the evenings, and usually opt either for a microwave meal or a bowl of soup. Lunch is usually a take-away eaten at my desk, or - occasionally - a pub lunch. I suspect many single professional people are in the same position).
Wake up researchers! I'm a well informed health aware professional, but I frequently skip meals, sometimes go from dinner time to dinner time with nothing but coffee in the intervening 24 hours, I expose myself to second hand smoke, live in a highly polluted city, sometimes drink too much, eat junk food, occasionally take recreational drugs; in short, I don't always eat a healthy diet full of all those essential bits. Does it harm me my taking vitamins? Certainly not. Does it help? Maybe yes.
We can sum it up like this: Some people say vitamins don't help. Some people say they do help. Nobody says that they do any harm. Make your own decisions while you can, until some fool legislates against vitamin supplements.
You do know that most of the vitamin companies are owned by Big Pharma? Make a pill with cheap ingredients sell it for a massive markup, and it won't kill anyone (but won't cure anything either), all without any research expenses. For Big Pharma it is a gift.
Recently I began a regiment of vitamin supplements this particular brand has something different. Unlike the others where in order to get any absorption into your system you are recommended to take with food thus the supplement can adhere to the food and be carried to the cellular level. While utilizing this method, at best you will only experience a maximum of 10% of the supplement absorbing to the cells.
The product that I am using has a patented method of binding the supplement and delivering it to the cell so that absorption is at the 85% level.
I can't speak to the studies or the truths of fictions about supplements aiding in the fight against cancer and heart disease but certainly for a great number of us we are not getting the benefit of a balanced diet and as with added stresses in our daily lives are burning the few vitamins faster than we absorb them. I will speak to how I feel since starting this program, it is incredible my energy levels have skyrocketed, I am far more alert clear thinking and sleep far more peacefully than I have for great number of years.
Vitamins help detoxify the body, even in Cancer treatment you are not to take vitamin C as it counters the effects of the Chemo drugs. Thus I would conclude that even as the water soluble vitamins travel through our systems they carry out with them the toxic impurities which we all absorb from the environment.
Back to the 85% cell absorption you can talk to me at tattall@hotmail.com.
Vitamins were always taken to make up for any nutrients not gotten from your food. I take them because i dont eat a normal diet.
you people will believe anything , if this author comes out in a few months and says " I was wrong , multis are good for you " then you'll start taking them again.
Do your own studies and research. A lot of variables play a huge role in this that was not mentioned. Do these people workout ? are the active ? what do they consider a healthy diet ? How much water do they drink in a day ? How often do they eat ? What are the macro breakdowns of their diets ?
etc....
I take multis everyday , when I go without I can totally tell the difference. If you think your just pissing your $ away then think again and try drinking over 1 gallon of water a day. Try doing some exercise so that your body will use these vitamins. In todays world the food is crap , processed food makes up more that 80% of peoples diets even when they think they're eating proper.
RT
www.privacy-center.be.tc
However, there's one group of people who can benefit from extra vitamin supplementation, and those are athletes, bodybuilders or anyone who does hard physical training (or has a very physical job) and who sweats a lot.
clinical studies, double patented and Flat out work!
No, I don't eat dietary supplements either as I do not wish to aid a third wolverine monster - the alternative medicine industry.
Instead, I imbibe aloe vera concentrates, obtained at health food stores and not chemists. I also imbibe cranberry juice concentrates, other tropical fruit concentrates. These supplements to one's diet are positive and without side effects (as long as you do not get them from the Chemist's).
In addition, or primarily, I have read copiously about the benefits of urea. Instead of supporting wolverine industries injesting pills / tablets containing urea (other people's), I do drink my own urine daily. Each morning, the second string of urine is extremely healing and beneficial for skin, gums, and, of course, digestive, stomach, oesphagal problems.
Personally, to me life is very important. I have no aspirations to life other than here on earth - while it lasts - and by the Lord, I will make it last, rejuvenated and so on indefinitely as I don't believe in the classic life cycle and in growing old and dying. At whatever point I am not enjoying life to the full and without an iota of side effects or nagging to share with other naggers, I will freely pass through the Dignity Clinic in Zurich from where there is no exit. No fairy tales emanating from hungry medics, pharma fiends, compulsive religious liars or mentally deficient faith practitioners are likely to influence me.
Despite having a very healthy diet I have always been anaemic and diagnosed as not having enough vitamins in tests.
Iron tablets made me feel il but the multivitamin with iron has been really good - I've felt less tired, I'm picking up fewer colds and minor ailments and generally just feel a lot better.
Mr. laurance, are you ignorant of all this, or do you have a bias?
Jumping to a conclusion that these things are worthless, like the journalist has done, without considering possible effects on ordinary infections, metabolism and other non-lethal conditions is irresponsible and misleading. The readers should realize this.
There are literally thousands of studies that support the safety and effectiveness of vitamins and minerals. I read them daily from reputable sources. I also have been watching how the pharmaceutical industry and medical journals selectively promote negative studies on vitamins and rarely acknowledge the far more frequent positive studies. Take it from someone who has worked in the field all his life, and who has no vested interests, besides wanting the freedom to choose my path to health. If you haven't noticed, Big Pharma will do almost anything to get you on drugs and keep you from being healthy. I have spent a lifetime studying nutrition, and I may as well be teaching 5th graders.
Basically, we are witnessing the decline of western culture. Despite all the billions put into medical research, people are getting sicker. Just like with the housing market, there is a big bubble about to pop in the health care industry, and they are doing everything to patch the cracks. It is nothing short of criminal what they are doing.
Naturally, one has to be philosophical as absolutely everything could have a positive or negative effect in life - carrots, nuts even water have been accused of turning into violent killers when misused. The Italians tend to blame carrots or spinach, especially out of season, for most child ailments from chickenpox to whooping cough.
Nevertheless, I do my best to keep my health in balance with the judicious consumption of spinach, carrots, beetroot, artichokes, beans and pulses, rice, lentils, potatoes, leeks, bananas, plums, cranberry juice and a longer string of fruits and vegetables - in or out of season.
I must admit my propensity to emulate the old French woman who knew van Gogh well and who lived to the amazing age of 122 partly by drinking one modest glass of red wine each day. One tries not to overdo it. I couldn't afford wine every day but I do my best. It is also fascinating that the Queen Mum who lived just short of 102 years drank gin and tonic every evening. I know I couldn't do that myself. I don't like gin or vodka. However, I am partial to the occasional measure of single malt Macallan (12 years).
The title should read "MV supp's no defense against chronic illnesses in postmenopausal women"
Andrew Shao, PhD, vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) said: ?From a practical standpoint, this study does not change the fact that the majority of consumers could benefit from taking an affordable multivitamin, particularly as the majority of Americans fail to consume the recommended amounts of a variety of essential nutrients established by the Institute of Medicine.
?It is better to meet these recommendations than not, and consistently taking a multivitamin over the long-term, could help fill these nutrient gaps and may help consumers lead healthier lives... the key to good health is a commitment to an overall wellness approach and that includes daily use of a multivitamin,?.
After a few days of my favorite MV, I know I feel revitalized, more resistant to minor illnesses, less stressed, more sociable... I now call them "good luck pills", and do a month cure every year at the start of winter. I haven't caught a cold since I started taking them and using tea tree oil, and I'm not going to stop now because one
Ask a nutritionist.
To say that supplements are not needed is neglegent on their part. There are more foods and environmental devices that are breaking down our immune system and premature aging. The key is finding a quality supplement. There aren't many, but check out a Landmark Study done by UC Berkely a few years back comparing certain supplement users and the long range effects over 20 years. That's right 20 years. People commited to their health. It is also published and peer-reviewed. www.landmarkstudy.com. Absorption and bioavailability are key.
If you haave any questions I can be contacted at mrsbostwick@bellsouth.net
Thirdly, if we are talking only about a multi-vitamins, all such vitamin supplements are not created the same. Nurses call them bed pan bullets for obvious reasons. You can't digest a lot of them. Then consider that most if not all of these so called vitamins do not contain what is on the label and those that do often have synthetic varieties that your body may not be able to use. And recognize even those that do actually contain vitamins and minerals do so at a minimal RDA level. Your body needs an optimum level of these nutrients not a minimum level, ie the RDA says you need 40 iu of Vitamin E, the optimum level is 400 iu. (That would require 28 lbs of spinach a day.)
Studies show that optimum levels of nutrients do have an impact on health. Is it not a contradiction that eating healthy food is good for you but adding a "good" vitamin supplement has no impact? Shouldn't the results be comparable? Unless of course the supplement was worthless or the study was.
Speaking of misleading studies, I suggest further investigation into these expert studies. You will often find the studies are financed by drug company money. Isn't that a coincidence? Why would a drug company want to sponsor a study that says vitamins are worthless? Perhaps this makes more of a statement about the need to take vitamins for health then any study.
Lastly, show me a study that shows the average person is eating properly. I have seen studies in the
US that say 100% of the people studied do not get even the minimal RDA levels. And few if any are eating the five portions of fruits and vegetables daily. If our diets are so great why did I hear recently that in the US 1 out of 3 children born today will earn Diabetes Type II? Dr. Christine Woods even said on this interview that this generation of children will be the first that will not outlive their parents. The fastest growing group in the US getting cancer and diabetes II are children. Poor lifestyle choices, poor food choices. All the diseases that are killing us are degenerative diseases. Degenerative diseases are a direct result of poor nutrition and lifestyle choices. Most of us live too short and die too long.
And to add one last comment on food choices, in the US the USDA files a report on the nutritional quality of produce. Every year, the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables in this country has declined. Read the reports. Farmers are paid for quantity of product not quality of product. A recent study showed that organic produce had 50-100% more nutrition than the factory farm products that thrive on chemicals. The only purpose of the soil is to hold the roots. Crops are not being rotated. You don't need to with chemicals. Where are the minerals and vitamins suppose to come from? Monsanto?
Enough said. I obviously feel we should supplement. I have seen the results. But you need a pharmaceutical grade supplement with optimum levels not some off the shelf consumer product. You would be better off eating the box they come in rather than the product within. I read recently that 80% of the vitamin C used today comes from China. What more can I say?
It is well known and logical that multivitamin supplements will not reduce the risk of cancer but if taken with good quality food will enhance those foods and their content as some food substances are lacking as are the diets that some people consume. Regardless of the lack of research it stands to reason that the immune system if enhanced will at least provide a greater resistance to some disease factors although there are many other co-factors that are unpredictable. As an analogy, haveing a flu shot does not mean you will not get the prevailing strain of flu but it does, as is touted by current medical evidence, assist to support the immune system over time against risk of contracting it or being better able to fight it off if one does contract an influenza virus.
In fact the American medical council recommend that everyone should supplement as the vits and minerals that used to be available from our diet are no longer available..due to modern farming methods and practices.
everyone can perhaps remember those cans of spinach the popeye used to chuck down...well today you would need to consume 109 cans to obtain the same nutritional value....the vits amd minerals are simply not there anymore.. added to that we have had vast increases in world pollution that is also having a diverse affect on our body's ability to fight free radical damage....so supplementation boosts our imune systems ability to cope.
so what supplements are viable and what are not.?
In order for our bodys to utilize vitamins and minerals they need to come from nature, after all thats how our bodies are designed...so supplementation from nature is not only affective but also a safe system...
manufacturers in general are copying the dna from natural products and reproducing them synthetically for pennies in their labs and cashing in on the demand...and there is huge demand!, These synthetics are not always processed by the human body and often pass right through and expel in the same form as they were injested...yes a waste of effort and money..some synthetic supplements are far more sinister and can in fact cause free radical damage themselves...for instance, a study done in america on synthetic vitamin b12 showed an increased risk of cancer by 27%....thats scary!!
make sure if you are supplementing that you use Organic food supplements only....not "naturally Inspired" or otherwise...these claims are misleading and are often used to hide the fact that these products are synthetics.
either take the real thing...or forget it entirely...those synthetic supplements are better for you if you put them in your trash !!!