Recent studies have disproved the benefit of taking many vitamins.
Internist Matthew Mintz goes over the data, and finds that vitamin E has not been shown to improve dementia, and vitamin C does not prevent colds.
Some, like increased doses of vitamin A, can be even dangerous and increase the risk of death.
This is what works: i) folic acid for pregnant women, which prevents neural tube defects; ii) calcium for adult women, which can prevent osteoporosis; and, iii) vitamin D, where low levels increase the the fracture risk in women, and recently, have been associated with cognitive impairment.
Here’s Dr. Mintz’s bottom line: “If you are a women of child bearing age, you should probably take calcium and folic acid. If you are a senior, you should probably take calcium and vitamin D. If you want to take a multi-vitamin, a generic, inexpensive, once daily mutli-vitamin should be fine. I would not take extra doses of other vitamins or supplements, especially vitamins A, C, or E.”
Sounds reasonable to me.
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{ 8 comments }
But, but, but… Vitamins. I mean, they must be good for you? They’re vitamins! It’s what they do!
I would add calcium if you don’t get enough in your diet, and for women planning a pregnancy, omega-3fatty acids, either as flax or mercury-free fish oil (Unless of course, you’re getting enough in the diet, which unfortunately, most are not)
I would not count on vitamins. The FDA does not regulate the sale of OTC vitamins, so there is no truth if the potency stated on the label is really what it is.
A good example is with the vegans.
http://vsh.voip-info.org/Klaper.html
Got any peer reviewed, primary research to show the bad effects of vitamins? Or are you just using secondary “research” (And I use that term *very* loosely when referring to studies) to support your personal biases?
Here you go!
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/0000605-200501040-00110v1
Beta-carotene supplementation has been linked to increased rates of lung cancer and overall mortality in smokers:
http://www.nci.nih.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/ATBCfollowupQA
I also add ‘vitamin D’ as it prevents rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and hypocalcemic tetany.
‘Folic acid’ occur naturally in food and can also be taken as supplements.
As said Folic acid is an important nutrient for women who may become pregnant as it helps to protect against a number of congenital malformations including neural tube defects.
Niacin can also be useful to help achieve better cholesterol levels. Therapeutic doses can be dangerous so a patient should have medical supervision.
Having been a retail manager of chain “vitamin” stores for many years, I think consumers should be aware that the “expert” clerks recieve commissions on certain sales and have no scientific training.
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