Multivitamins no good?

[roster]

Harvard researchers skeptical about multivitamins
Vicky Uhland


3/4/2008 2:18:53 PM


Citing studies that show that the antioxidants and vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid in multivitamins not only don't prevent disease, but that folic acid may actually cause cancer, Harvard Medical School researchers argued against taking a daily multivitamin in the March issue of their Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition questioned the research the newsletter cited and called the multivitamin cautions "premature."

Stating that an estimated 35 percent of U.S. adults take multivitamins regularly, Harvard researchers presented a history of multivitamin research in their newsletter article titled, "Multivitamins and your health: A reappraisal." They began with antioxidant research, citing studies showing that antioxidant supplements not only don't protect against heart disease or cancer, but "in some cases, they may actually do more harm than good."

They next tackled research on the "three Bs": B6, B12 and folic acid, and concluded that recent randomized clinical trials show that B-vitamin supplements don't prevent heart disease. They also cited one U.S. study showing that people who took folic acid had more colorectal adenomas and more prostate cancers than those who took a placebo. However, the researchers cautioned, the study involved only people who were at high risk for colorectal cancer, and who took 1,000 mcg of folic acid, two and a half times the recommended daily allowance.

The researchers also cited a 2007 report in which scientists traced colorectal cancers diagnosed in the U.S. and Canada between 1986 and 2002. In the mid-1990s, they found an extra four to six diagnoses of colorectal cancer per 100,000 people in each country. "The researchers don't know what caused the blip," the Harvard researchers wrote, but "the scientists speculated that folic acid may have contributed to the uptick in colorectal cancers—not because of multivitamins, but because of foods."

The Harvard researchers pointed out that government-mandated folic acid fortification in U.S. grain products has reduced the incidence of spinal cord birth defects by up to 50 percent since 1996, but cited an unproven theory that when those fortified foods are coupled with a multivitamin, blood levels of folic acid can increase to amounts that may be associated with increased risk of cancer.

The newsletter concluded: "There is no proof that a daily multivitamin is harmful. Still, it now seems possible that the high levels of folic acid achieved by well-intentioned people who take a multivitamin and eat healthful foods could increase the risk of colorectal and possible prostate and breast cancers. Perhaps, then, the answer is to give up the multivitamin, at least until scientists solve the puzzle of folic acid and cancer."

Andrew Shao, Ph.D., CRN's vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs, said he was "a little bit disappointed" in the research the newsletter cited, noting that the antioxidant studies it referenced have been "heavily criticized by the scientific community." In addition, the folic acid research cited was "only one study. It may merit a follow-up, but it's only one study," he said.

He said the newsletter's recommendation to jettison multivitamins is "clearly a premature action. Even the Harvard professors I contacted about this thought it was premature, and said they still take their multivitamins."

Noting that multivitamins are vital to the vast majority of Americans "who come up short when it comes to getting the recommended daily nutrition," Shao said "changes to the recommendations [that people take] multivitamins don't make sense at this point." He also cited an October 2007 CRN study of 1,177 healthcare professionals that found that 87 percent of doctors and 86 percent of nurses take multivitamins, and about three-quarters of them said "it is a good idea for patients to take a multivitamin."

Source: http://www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com ... creen=HOME

[Country4ever]

I hardly listen to anybody anymore. Seems like every other week something that was essential for good health, now causes cancer. Coffee is a good example......first its bad, then its good, then its bad, then its good. Its so ridiculous. I just don't listen to them anymore and do what I think is best.

[Snoredog]

this message brought to you by

Harvard Medical School

It is amazing how fast they can brainwash medical students into their way of thinking about prescription drugs.

This is akin to Merck & Shering Plough doing the only research on Vytorin

I take my B vitamins, I like the yellow color of my pee, better than it looking pink I guess

[NightHawkeye]

... They began with antioxidant research, citing studies showing that antioxidant supplements not only don't protect against heart disease or cancer, but "in some cases, they may actually do more harm than good."

Gotta love the wording here ... After failing to prove antioxidants bad for you, they then throw out conjecture that in some cases antioxidants may do "more harm than good". What kind of science is that? That's not science at all. It's a classic technique for introducing Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD). Now just why would they stoop to that?

... The newsletter concluded: "There is no proof that a daily multivitamin is harmful."

WTF? Then just what was the purpose of the earlier conjecture? Need for and benefits provided by specific vitamins, minerals, and supplements have been well established in real "scientific" studies. There is no doubt that certain combinations and certain brands provide better results than others. Had they provided insight about that, it would have been useful info.

No to impugn the motivation of these esteemed medical researchers, but the study is garbage. These guys had ulterior motives ...

[lifeartist59]

Interesting, I just had a specialist tell me that they are testing women for vitamin D deficiencies and suggesting suppliments to those who are deficient because of the possible increased risk of breast cancer.......

[Guest]

I've been hearing that Vitamin D is the new miracle vitamin.
I get so frustrated. There's just no one to believe any more. I guess we just have to muddle through it, trial and error on ourselves.

[DreamStalker]

It is a consquence of university reserchers needing research funding and news media using sensationalism for ad revenue ... add the two and this is what you get get to read.

Again, remember, LIFE is hazardous to your health ... everything kills you eventually. The question to ask is if it imporves the quality of your life while you are alive?

[WearyOne]

Interesting, I just had a specialist tell me that they are testing women for vitamin D deficiencies and suggesting suppliments to those who are deficient because of the possible increased risk of breast cancer.......

I'm one of those who was tested and my D is very low. I'm on a three-month, once-a-week prescription V-D. (My fingernail beds looked "odd" and my friend suggested asking the doc about it. He tested the D because he thought that might be why.)

I also have Graves' disease, which can cause nutritional issues, including V-D deficiency. Don't know if that's why, but in my case it could be.

Pam

[muld00n]

Again, remember, LIFE is hazardous to your health ... everything kills you eventually. The question to ask is if it imporves the quality of your life while you are alive?

Once again proving the old adage...

"If you live long enough, something is gonna kill you."

[Moby]

There was a nutritionist in a study I worked in (on Vit A in cancer prevention.)

When I asked her about vitamin/mineral supplements she said the current thinking (this was about 2002) was that it is preferable to get all your nutrition from the food you eat. This is because there are lots of things (she mentioned flavinoids amongst other things I've forgotten) that have been identified as beneficial but not thoroughly researched and whose roles have not yet been identified. Those things are not yet contained in the commercial supplements.

Remember too, that the fat soluble vitamins (especially Vit A) are retained in the body. I have seen someone who was hooked on Vit A, took supplements and ate raw carrots all day. She was bright orange. This can affect your liver adversly.

The water soluble vitamins (eg the Bs,& C,) are literally money down the toilet if taken in excess. They just get washed out of the body in the urine.

Her (the research nutritionist's ) advice was to eat as many different fruitsand vegetables of different colours as you can every day.

I still feel better when I take my daily multivit though! I'm just not very good at having lots and lots of vegetables, though I do make an effort to have at least one green and one orange/yellow one every day.

Di

[oceanpearl]

KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!! Sooner or later someone will come out with a study that says it's ok to be doing it!!

[NightHawkeye]

When I asked her about vitamin/mineral supplements she said the current thinking (this was about 2002) was that it is preferable to get all your nutrition from the food you eat. ... I still feel better when I take my daily multivit though! I'm just not very good at having lots and lots of vegetables, though I do make an effort to have at least one green and one orange/yellow one every day.

I'm with you. I keep reading that our mass-produced fruits and veggies don't have anywhere near the vitamin and mineral content which our ancestors enjoyed from their fruits and veggies.

My biggest problem is not enough exercise though.

regards,
Bill (note to self - Since you've been walking all day every day for a week, continue ... )

[roster]

........
Bill (note to self - Since you've been walking all day every day for a week, continue ... )

Congratulations Bill!

IMO walking is one of the best exercises for body and mind.

[lawdognellie]

WTF? After my CPAP, then APAP, and then BiPAP failed to fix my fatigue (i.e. I'd have to take a nap after going to get the mail), my doctor tested my B-12 levels and it was discovered I had a major deficiency. Also had low iron. Recent blood work also shows that I am deficient in vitamins D and B-1. The ONLY vitamin that was normal was calcium. How can anyone say that taking multivitamins are bad? The only vitamins that can be problematic are A, D, and E and only if taken in large quantities.

Sarah

[Country4ever]

Where do you all get your vitamin levels checked? I've been to lots of conventional docs, and none of them act like vitamin testing is important.
(Although I did have one neurologist who had me have a ferritin level checked. I guess your iron levels can appear normal, but your ferritin can be low, and it can cause problems.)

WearyOne......my nails are a mess.....full of hills and valleys and ridges. Maybe I should get my levels checked.
I have 2 relatives (on my husband's side) who have Graves. I'll have to mention the D thing to them.