Vitamins ‘may raise death risk from cancer’
Vitamin supplements may increase the chances of dying from cancer, a science review finds. And the studies, which compared the health of people who regularly took antioxidant pills with those who took dummy pills, suggest that combinations of beta-carotene with either vitamin A or vitamin E pose the most risk.
The findings, published in the Lancet medical journal, go far further than recent evidence that such pills do no good, and, if confirmed, could severely damage the vitamin industry worldwide.
I’ve said for a long time (and I’m getting this from experts) you should get your vitamins from a balanced diet, not from supplements. Supplement manufacturers (both of regular vitamins and goofy mumbo-jumbo like echinacea) are modern day snake oil salesman. For a long time I have merely considered them a harmless waste of money. But it may be that they’re worse than that.
In America, we have a huge variety in our food supply. Anyone who can afford food at all can afford a balanced diet because fruits and vegetables are available anywhere. So for Americans to be popping mega doses of antioxidants is needless. As the evidence mounts, it may even be harmful.
You may not think it is easy easy, but you can’t argue that it’s not simple. Engage in regular physical activity. Do whatever it is you like to do that gets your heart pumping. Eat a moderate diet without excessive fat or sugar. Include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you can at least do that, you will be on the right track. No supplements are going to make up for bad habits. You have to have the basics covered before you worry about anything else.
And, unless you’re an alcoholic, throw a glass of wine in there from time to time. It may or may not be a health booster, but it’s the civilized thing to do.
Posted by James at October 1, 2004 2:53 AMFor the most part, I agree with you. People want to eat poorly, be slothful, and take a magic pill. That's the American way.
I take a Centrum daily. I chose Centrum because the company is owned by Wyeth, a pharmaceutical company, thus I feel assured that they have good manufacturing processes (GMPs). Because of good GMPs, I feel confident that I'll get what's purported to be in each pill, which I wouldn't assume if I was taking pills from Joe's Vitamin Company.
I also take a glucosamine/chondroitin tab every day, made by Solgar. Our doctor told us he believes the combo works, as did an osteo doc Bob saw. The trick is getting what you think you're getting in each pill, which is why we take Solgar (again, owned by Wyeth, GMPs, etc.).
That having been said, I would much prefer that vitamins be held to the same level of scrutiny and regulation as any drug or device. Currently, FDA is _not allowed_ to regulate vitamines or any dietary supplement, as they do any drug one would ingest. You can thank heavy lobbying of Congress in the '80s for that.
My feeling is this: run clinical trials to prove the safety and efficacy of the vitamin/dietary supplement (i.e., demonstrate that the stuff works and won't harm people) and you'll sell tons of it.
Some manufacturers say it's too expensive, burdensome, etc. Well boo hoo hoo. If the shit works, what've you got to lose?
It's really a crap shoot. My sister happened to read the fine print on the back of a bottle of echinacia a few years ago, and there was a warning that people with MS should not take it. It's this type of stuff that makes me crazy. Just because it comes "from the earth" doesn't necessarily mean it's wholesome and 100% good for you. Again, prove safety and efficacy, and I'm on board.
Posted by: Patti M. at October 1, 2004 8:43 AMFrom the article I can't tell if this study is referring to the Flintstones chewable type multivitamins that kids (and I) take or the higher doses of specific vitamins like A and E that hypochondriacs pop daily. Looks like the latter.
Hell, even products like orange juice now have more vitamins pumped into them. A general trend of results like this could affect more than just the vitamin industry.
Good thing my Lucky Charms are whole-grain now. :-)
Posted by: Mike at October 1, 2004 9:57 AMI don't think they're talking about multivitamins. They're talking about antioxidants.
I agree with what Patti is saying. Tests for safety and efficacy are necessary. Also, I think that anything you do habitually for your health deserves a quick run-by from your doctor.
I take a multivitamin (Centrum as well) on and off. My point is, we know fruits and veggies are healthy. We don't always know that processed concentrated vitamins are healthy. Partly because of the rules Patti mentioned.
Posted by: James at October 1, 2004 10:15 AMThere have been recent studies that say that people who take daily vitamins have longer life expectancies. Of course, there is always the possiblity that people who can afford to spend precious income on vitamins are generally healthier than those who can't.
I suspect that the study James refers to is of the mega dose vitamins. Some of these things have more than a thousand times the recommended daily allowances. There's a reason for the recommendation people. This is especially bad for the fat soluble vitamins (A and E) that can build up in your system.
If your only taking 100% of everything I seriously doubt you can do much harm.
Posted by: B.O.B.(bob) at October 1, 2004 11:56 AM