WASHINGTON: New research is prompting a fresh look at the value of vitamin supplements, with some surprising results indicating that taking too many supplements of some could be harmful.
The research is forcing scientists to rethink the use of supplements with antioxidants, which had been seen as beneficial in preventing cancer, heart disease and other ailments.
"Everybody is confused," admitted Toren Finkel, head of the Centre for Molecular Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
While logic would seem to dictate that taking vitamins and antioxidants should help fight illness and disease, Finkel said in an interview that the clinical data "are pretty consistently showing no benefit."
"So that means we have to go back and think about some of the assumptions we have made along the way in terms of what the mechanism for these diseases are and how things like oxidants play a role in those diseases," he told AFP.
Finkel explained that while it has long been believed that oxidants -- free radicals produced by the body or introduced through external sources such as pollution -- were unhealthy, the research paints a more complex picture.
"You have to go back to the lab and try to design experiments you can do a little simpler with cells or animals... to better understand the role of oxidants and vitamins," he said.
"For years, we were using these supplements without knowing the effects on the body."
A study published on October 11 in the United States indicates a 17 per cent increase in the risk of developing prostate cancer among men who take high doses of vitamin E.
Another recent US study conducted among women and published on October 10 revealed that multivitamins -- commonly taken in the United States -- were useless and actually gradually contributed to a higher risk of mortality.
As far back as 2007, researchers had established a link between taking selenium supplements and an increased risk of adult diabetes.
For David Schardt, a nutritionist at the non-profit Centre for Science in the Public Interest, the problem is that "people think more is better and that (supplements) are harmless."
"We are finding out that some of these vitamins taken alone in large amounts may have effects we did not predict, we did not understand and we did not anticipate," Schardt said.
He added that the country has "a lot of people who believe, almost like a religion, in their vitamins" -- a faith encouraged by an industry that generates $20 billion a year in the United States, where more than half of the population takes some kind of vitamin supplement.
Moreover, US manufacturers are "free to say almost anything they want" about the virtues of supplements, Schardt explained, adding: "The only thing the Food and Drug Administration does not let them make are claims about disease."
Patsy Brannon, a Cornell University professor who served on an NIH panel on multivitamins, mineral supplements and chronic diseases, said that those who take supplements are often those already getting nutrients from their food.
"So the people who are choosing supplements are maybe the people who don't need them," she said. "So they are not thinking about their total intake and that I think is a concern."
Experts agree that multivitamins and other supplements are useful for certain groups such as pregnant women and elderly people suffering from vitamin deficiencies.
But for the general population, a healthy balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fibre as well as animal-based protein will provide the proper vitamins and nutrients needed, Brannon said.
A study published in late August in the Journal of Nutrition showed that a significant number of Americans did not eat well and did not take vitamin supplements.
25 per cent of respondents had a vitamin C deficiency, 34 per cent were not getting enough vitamin A and 60 per cent needed more vitamin E. All three are found in fruits and vegetables.
-AFP/ac
Taken from ChannelNewsAsia.com; source article is below:
New studies highlight risks of vitamin supplements
Vitamin B was found to be a direct link to making aging folks happier. A certain increase in the intake of B vitamins caused the decrease of depression to some noticeable degree.
Read the labels. If they include words such as hydrogenated or 
Let kids learn where food comes from and how it is made or grown. An excursion to a farm can be very enriching. Explain why you have chosen particular foods over others at the supermarket. 
Apart from main meals, let your child nibble on nutritious snacks throughout the day. Grazing regulates their blood sugar as they get a steady supply of energy from frequent small meals. 
Junk food is one of the key culprits of 
In addition to yielding vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that keep children healthy, milk is important for building and maintaining strong bones. The Academy of Pediatrics advises 
Phytos, for short, are immune-boosting substances found only in fruits and vegetables. They prevent wear and tear on organs and help the body to repair itself. They also give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colours which kids are naturally attracted to. So, let your child choose his own phytos by asking him to select a rainbow to eat. 
Popeye loves it for a reason. A dose of spinach offers fibre, Vitamins C and E, calcium, folate, as well as the antioxidant lutein, which boosts retinal health. It is also high in iron, which aids growth and muscle development. Spinach is easily disguised for kids: Blend baby spinach, celery, carrots and tomatoes into a homemade pasta sauce. 
They're good for the body but children, especially finicky eaters, may not always get the vitamins from the foods they eat. Many parents give their children a daily multivitamin as an added nutritional precaution. 
High in protein and calcium, easier to digest than milk, yoghurt has live bacterial cultures that keep intestines healthy, aid digestion, and offer a boost to the immune system. Buy low-, or non-fat variants. You can also blend it into smoothies, make dips from it, or stir it into soups and sauces. 
For most laymen, interpreting medical jargon, 
1. Taking preconception 
4. Not screening for chromosomal abnormalities.
7. Suffering through low-back pain.
11. Thinking that Lamaze will work miracles.
12. Asking the universe for twins.
15. Not taking prenatal vitamins and iron.
