Vitamin Supplements – Do They Work? – The Case For 9 A Day Plus
by THP
Filed under Diet & Energy
Do Vitamin Supplements work?
Written by Jessica Smith
Wednesday, 09 September 2009
Vitamin Supplementation is huge worldwide. Most of us take vitamins now or have taken vitamins in the past.
Here are some statistics compiled by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) on supplementation:
The US ranks top in dietary supplementation globally.18.9% of Americans had taken at least one dietary supplement in 2004. Over 100 million Americans use vitamin and mineral supplements everyday.
The “global self-medication market” has become a multi-billion dollar industry and the dietary supplement sector is growing the fastest – 16% in 1998 alone. In the US, retail sales of supplements reached $11.3 billion in 2000.
The most common reason for supplement use is “to improve overall health and general well being.” It is a popular belief that vitamins are antioxidants and can therefore protect us from oxidative stress that causes many health conditions.
The most common health conditions that call for supplementation are menopause, cough, cold, flu, sore throat, and allergies or sinus conditions.
The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), 1988–94 reported that about 40% of Americans, starting at age 2 months, have taken some kind of dietary supplement.
The most common supplements taken are:
- multivitamin/multiminerals – 22%
- multivitamins plus vitamin C – 15%
- vitamin C as a single vitamin – 13%
- herbal and botanical supplements – 7%
- vitamin E as a single vitamin – 6%
Over the years, more and more reports on the health benefits of vitamin supplements have emerged, ranging from cardiovascular benefits to cancer prevention. This is mainly due to the antioxidant properties of vitamins that can protect us from oxidative stress. As a result several studies have been conducted to confirm these reports. Some of the latest studies summarized below reveal surprising results to say the least.
Disease prevention and mortality
One of the very first studies to comprehensively investigate the health effects of vitamin supplements was conducted by Danish researchers in 2007. They performed a meta-analysis on data pooled from several clinical trials which used supplementation of the antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium used as stand-alone or as combination supplements to treat a wide range of health conditions, from cardiovascular disorders to cancer. Their results were surprising, even troubling. For one, no benefits of these “antioxidant supplements” were found. Second, supplementation with vitamins A and E and beta-carotene (but not vitamin C and selenium) actually increased overall mortality. This study prompted other researchers to take a second look at the benefits of vitamin supplements.
In a more recent review paper, the same researchers performed another meta-analysis of more data from several clinical trials, this time involving over 200,000 people who are healthy as well as those with existing health conditions. The researchers only considered studies which compared the efficacy of antioxidant supplements against placebos in the primary and secondary prevention of different medical conditions. The authors reported that they “found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E may increase mortality.”
Cancer
Another meta-analysis investigated the anti-cancer properties of antioxidant supplements, particularly against gastrointestinal cancers. They looked at data of trials which studied beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and E and selenium. The authors concluded that “we could not find convincing evidence that antioxidant supplements prevent gastrointestinal cancers.”
One of the most recent developments in vitamin supplement research is the long-term SELECT (Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) study of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The study evaluated the efficacy of selenium and Vitamin E in preventing prostate cancer and enrolled 35,000 male participants in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The participants were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: group 1 were given vitamin E supplements only, group 2 were given only selenium, group 3 took both supplements in combination, and group 4 were given placebos only. Five years into the study, the NCI decided to stop the trial because of some “concerning” findings, namely:
1. The analysis found no lower risk of prostate cancer in men taking the supplements, either alone or together.
2. Men who were taking only vitamin E actually had a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
3. Men taking only selenium seemed to have a slightly higher risk of developing diabetes.
Another study evaluated the efficacy of combined folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in reducing cancer risk among women. Their result show that combined folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 treatment had no significant effect on overall risk of total invasive cancer or breast cancer among women during the folic acid fortification era.
A study published in December 2008 evaluated whether vitamins C and E and beta carotene supplementation have an effect on overall cancer risk. The data was taken from the Women’s Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study and involved 8,171 women who were cancer-free at the start of the study about 9.4 years ago. The findings of the study showed that “supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, or beta carotene offers no overall benefits in the primary prevention of total cancer incidence or cancer mortality.”
Cardiovascular disorders
The Women’s Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Trial evaluated the effects of vitamin D and calcium supplements on blood pressure and risk for hypertension risk of 36,252 healthy postmenopausal women. The women were assigned in 2 groups: one group received a daily supplement of 1000 mg of calcium plus 400 IU of vitamin D3 daily. The other group received placebo only. The researchers reported that “in postmenopausal women, calcium plus vitamin D3 supplementation did not reduce either blood pressure or the risk of developing hypertension over 7 years of follow-up.”
The Physicians’ Health Study II evaluated whether vitamin E or vitamin C have cardioprotective properties that can reduce risk for CVD in men. A total of 14,641 American doctors were enrolled in the study, aged 50 years and older, and were followed up for 8 years. The study results showed that “neither vitamin E nor vitamin C supplementation reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events. These data provide no support for the use of these supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and older men.”
This study evaluated whether antioxidant (vitamins E, C and/or beta-carotene) supplements can prevent atherosclerosis. The researchers performed a meta-analysis of 22 trials which involved 134,590 participants. The researcher conclude that “…the majority of studies included in this review does not support a possible role of antioxidant supplementation in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease … no definite conclusion can be drawn to justify the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements for the prevention of atherosclerotic events.”
Folic acid is routinely prescribed for pregnant women to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida. It has also been thought that folic acid, which reduced the levels of homocysteine in the blood, can prevent cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine is an amino acid used as a biomarker for cardiovascular disorder. This trial investigated whether a vitamin combination pill with folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 (vs. a placebo) can reduce cardiovascular risk. It enrolled more than 5,400 American women with a history of cardiovascular disease or with moderate to high risk profile for cardiovascular disease. After 7.3 years of treatment and follow-up, a combination pill of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 did not reduce a combined end point of total cardiovascular events among high-risk women, despite significant homocysteine lowering.
While most of the evidence from studies summarized here does not seem to support the health benefits of vitamin supplements, there are some studies which indicate that vitamin D supplementation is worthwhile, even essential.
Vitamin D is unique because we cannot get our vitamin D requirements from food alone. Instead, vitamin D is synthesized by the body upon exposure of the skin to the sun, thus earning it the title “sun vitamin.” However, since the sun is said to cause skin cancer, people tend to avoid exposure leading to widespread vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a large number of health problems including osteoporosis, rickets, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
American health experts are convinced of the necessity of vitamin D supplements and thus, routinely prescribe vitamin D supplements even for newborn babies. Milk and other dairy products in the US are fortified with vitamin D but not in many parts of the world. Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidelines for vitamin D supplementation to recommend the doubling of the dose for babies and children from 200 IU to 400 IU per day.
According to a review paper, “vitamin D is not only important for calcium metabolism and maintenance of bone health throughout life, but also plays an important role in reducing risk of many chronic diseases including type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, deadly cancers, heart disease and infectious diseases.”
To learn about quality organic sources of vitamins – click here>>
True Healthy Products, LLC915 N Courtenay Parkway
Merritt Island, FL 32953
USA
Email: support@truehealthyproducts.com
Toll Free: 888-400-2920
Fax: 321-821-1310
Lesson For Homeschoolers In Bolstering Immunity Against H1N1 Flu – Supplementation Is Key
by THP
Filed under Diet & Energy
(THP) Everyone by now, has surely heard of the H1N1 flu and all the dangers associated with it. We have all seen the children in other countries wearing face masks to prevent contracting the disease. There has even been talk of a pandemic. With the start of school, many children are already complaining of colds or stomach viruses. Homeschool children are no exception. While opponents of homeschooling often argue that homeschoolers don’t get enough socialization; co-ops, church groups, dance lessons, music lessons, etc. are already underway with enough socializing to spread the flu.
How Does It Spread? This year’s H1N1 flu is said to be transmitted both in the air & on surfaces. It is transmitted on a surface such as a doorknob when that surface comes into contact with the germs that cause the flu virus. Then, continues to spread whenever someone touches that surface and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth. But, is also airborne through coughing or sneezing into the air and those droplets coming into contact with our eyes, nose or mouth. Airborne illnesses are perhaps a bit trickier to prevent than surface-borne ones. And, while no one can guarantee 100% that your child will not get sick – not even the drug companies with their touted vaccine claiming 100% protection to all – there are common-sense steps you can take to try to stay healthy every day of the year, not just during flu season. Though, most of the preventative steps to take in avoiding sickness seem very obvious, it is amazing how many adults and children don’t pay attention to simple steps such as washing hands.
Build Up That Immune System – Make sure your child’s immune system is built-up and healthy. There is no more important time than the flu season to make sure your child has proper nutrition and vitamin supplements, like 9 a day plus to help boost their immune systems. If their immune systems are working well, they may avoid H1N1 and many other diseases all together. Try to offer healthy meals and snacks, and check with your doctor or nutrition store, such as O’Fallon Nutrition, for advice on what vitamins or supplements are available to boost their immune system. You might want to cut short those visits to fast food restaurants as well, since germs can be spread through food preparers and restaurant environments.
Cough Into Your Elbow – While use of a tissue is sometimes necessary, it will spread disease if not properly disposed of and hands washed after use. When you are in public, if your child is already sick with a cough, make sure they cough properly. That is, cough into the bend of your elbow. This avoids using hands to catch the germs and then picking up a pencil and sharing it with another child or turning around to play on the monkey bars, etc. If the cough goes into the elbow bend of the arm, it is less likely to be spread further from surface to surface, and it blocks most of the germs from flying into the air.
Wash Your Hands – We’ve all heard it said to wash your hands! But, it’s true. Many diseases would be completely avoided if we would simply wash our hands. In children, the important thing is to teach proper handwashing. Simply rinsing their hands under running water for a splash will not do the trick. And, though hand sanitizers are better than nothing when there is no sink nearby, there’s no substitute for taking the time to wash with soap & water. The fun way to teach children to wash their hands is to turn on the water to a comfortable temperature, place child’s hands under the running water and begin to sing. Sing Happy Birthday, or change the words to the same tune: “We are wash-ing our hands – We are wash-ing our hands – We are wash-ing our hands now! So, we won’t get the flu!” – You choose your own words, but take that amount of time to soap up your child’s hands and rinse them well. Then, dry them off on a clean towel. If you are in a public restroom, take a paper towel (if it’s provided instead of those blow dryers) and dry your hands with it. Then, grab another paper towel to open the door with when you leave. This way, your child’s hands will not touch a germy door handle directly after washing off the germs. Once you are outside of the restroom, find a trashcan & discard the paper towel. While this might not be 100% environmentally friendly, you and your child will avoid countless numbers of germs.
Avoid Contact With Germ-Infested Surfaces – Telling a parent of an active, healthy child to simply have that child not touch anything in public is like asking them to hold onto jello. Children will touch surfaces wherever they go. So, do your best to make sure the things they touch are as clean as you can make them. One easy way to do this is to carry disinfectant wipes with you. When you go to the grocery store, wipe down the inside of the “car carts” that your child will want to ride in. Or, if they are older and no longer fit inside those fun carts, wipe down the handle of the cart you are pushing. If you are at a restaurant, wipe down the table before you sit down. Also, don’t forget to wipe the chair that the child is sitting on and directly under their side of the table as well, since most children will wiggle and explore. Don’t be afraid of the raised eyebrows when others see you wiping down the tables, etc. Chances are most looks will be those of respect wishing they had thought to be preventative as well.
Stay Away – While you don’t want to say “no” to every birthday party invitation, sports games, dance lessons, etc., be conscious that the H1N1 is out there along with many other viruses and diseases–and be selective in where you choose to expose your child. When we think of germ-infested places, we often think of hospitals and doctors’ waiting rooms, which no doubt do have all kinds of germs flying around. But one of the most nasty, germ-infested environments is a playground. While you might not want to avoid the playground altogether, make sure your child’s hands are washed when they leave these types of places.
Mostly, use common sense. Don’t be afraid to take preventative measures to protect your children. If you do, you’ll probably end up being happy you’re not cleaning up after a sick child or spending your paycheck on tissues to wipe noses all fall/winter/spring.
To learn more about quality whole food vitmain supplements, how they boost immunity against flu bugs click here>>
True Healthy Products, LLC915 N Courtenay Parkway
Merritt Island, FL 32953
USA
Email: support@truehealthyproducts.com
Toll Free: 888-400-2920
Fax: 321-821-1310
