Vitamins could shorten lifespan. Another motivated study?

February 28, 2007

Vitamins 'could shorten lifespan'

Taking certain vitamin supplements may adversely affect people's lifespan, researchers have suggested.

Millions worldwide use antioxidant supplements such as vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene.

Looking at dozens of previous studies, Copenhagen University

researchers suggested these appeared to raise, not lower, the risk of

early death.

A supplements industry expert said the Journal of the American Medical Association study was fatally flawed.

But nutritionists said it reinforced the need to eat a balanced diet, rather than relying on supplements.

While vitamin supplements have been popular for decades, the precise

benefits they offer - if any - remain uncertain, despite hundreds of

research projects.

Considering that 10% to 20% of the adult population in Europe and North

America may consume the supplements, the public health consequences may

be substantial

University of Copenhagen research team

More recent theories suggest that certain vitamins consumed as part of

a healthy diet - and perhaps taken in supplement form - may be able to

prevent damage to the body's tissues called 'oxidative stress' by

eliminating the molecules called 'free radicals' which are said to

cause it. This damage has been implicated in several major

diseases including cancer and heart disease, yet the implication that

vitamin supplements might protect people from these illnesses is

controversial.

Vitamin overview

The Copenhagen team reviewed more than 815 clinical trials into the

benefits of vitamins A, E, and C, alongside beta-carotene and selenium

- all commonly-used supplements.

How sensible scientists can suggest a single antioxidant supplement can

have a major effect where patients already have advanced cardiovascular

disease is ridiculous

Dr Ann Walker

Health Supplements Information Service

They selected 68 whose methods were more likely to produce an accurate

picture of vitamin benefits, then added their results together to form

one, large-scale study.

This overview suggested that taking antioxidant supplements neither increased, nor reduced, the risk of early death.

However, when the researchers eliminated a further 21 trials which had

a slightly higher possibility of producing a skewed result, the picture

changed considerably. While the risk of death was unchanged among selenium

and vitamin C users, a statistically significant increase in risk

emerged for the other three supplements.

Beta-carotene produced an approximate 7% increased risk, vitamin E a 4% increase and vitamin A, a 16% increase.

We already know that taking supplements isn't in any way a replacement for a good balanced diet

Dr Frankie Phillips

British Dietetic Association

The researchers wrote: "Our findings contradict the findings of observational studies claiming that antioxidants improve health.

"Considering that 10% to 20% of the adult population in Europe and

North America may consume the supplements, the public health

consequences may be substantial." They said there were several different explanations for

this increase in risk - and suggested that knocking out 'free radicals'

might actually interfere with a natural defence mechanism within the

body.

The team called for more research into the effects of vitamin supplements on health.

'Balanced diet

Dr Frankie Phillips, a nutritionist at the British Dietetic

Association, said food contained a complex matrix of different

components which could not be replicated by supplements. "Our advice is to eat a wide range of foods in a

balanced diet which can provide all of the nutrients the body needs to

protect itself and combat diseases." Ellen Mason, of the British Heart Foundation, said: "We

would recommend that you only take substances to protect against heart

disease, whether dietary supplements or drugs, that have been proven in

well conducted clinical trials."

However, Dr Ann Walker, of the Health Supplements Information Service, said the findings of the study were "worthless".

She said some of the studies which had been examined by the Copenhagen team involved patients who were already seriously ill.

"How sensible scientists can suggest that a modest intervention of a

single antioxidant supplement, can have a major effect in reversing

life-threatening pathology, where patients already have advanced

cardiovascular disease, is ridiculous. "Vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements not only have

proven health benefits, they are essential to the maintenance of good

health and can help bridge the nutritional gap for many people in the

UK whose diets are often lacking in essential nutrients."

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6399773.stm

Published: 2007/02/28 00:04:44 GMT

Everyone is raving about the all-new Mail beta.

March 9, 2007

On the orthomolecular List there are solid objections

to this article. The said article is a meta-analysis

of other studies, not a study by itself. One weakness

is its selection bias of studies. For example, two

articles favoring vitamins use and published in

prestigious journals like Lancet etc were excluded

from this study. Also the Serbian author is out to

somehow earn fame and raise his " citation index " by

SOMEHOW publishing in reputed journal.

Ratan.

--- Jagannath Chatterjee <jagchat01 wrote:

>

> Vitamins 'could shorten lifespan'

>

Taking certain vitamin supplements may

> adversely affect people's lifespan, researchers have

> suggested.

>

Millions worldwide use antioxidant supplements such

> as vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene.

Looking at dozens of previous studies, Copenhagen

> University

> researchers suggested these appeared to raise, not

> lower, the risk of

> early death.

>

A supplements industry expert said the Journal of

> the American Medical Association study was fatally

> flawed.

>

But nutritionists said it reinforced the need to eat

> a balanced diet, rather than relying on supplements.

While vitamin supplements have been popular for

> decades, the precise

> benefits they offer - if any - remain uncertain,

> despite hundreds of

> research projects.

>

Considering that 10% to 20% of the adult population

> in Europe and North

> America may consume the supplements, the public

> health consequences may

> be substantial

>

University of Copenhagen research team

>

=== message truncated ===

Ratan Singh

Phone: 91 141 2652561

Address: 7- NA- 16

Jawahar Nagar

Jaipur- 302004 INDIA

----------

- Certificate in Food & Nutrition;

- Author of " Nutrition & Supplements in Major Mental Illnesses " ;

- M.A. (Psychol), Postgraduate Diploma in Medical & Social Psychology, Ph.D.;

- Certified Behavior Therapist (from late Prof. J. Wolpe's Unit, Temple

University Medical School, Philadelphia, USA);

- Hypnotist, Biofeedback and Meditation Therapist.

- Family, Marital and Sex Therapist.

->Consultant Nutritional & Clinical Psychologist in Jaipur Hospital, India.

psych_58,

www.jaipurmart.com/trade/meditationandhealth,

meditationandcancer-

______________________________\

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