Useful info. about vitamins

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

The following is an excerpt from a mail which I got from another

group. I hope you will find it useful. Those with health problems do

of course need to take specific supplements. Those with problems of

malabsorption of food also may need supplements.

 

Swamy

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Millions of people take large doses of vitamins supplements each

day in the belief that high doses would protect them from diseases

such as cancer and heart disease (one woman was taking 11 vitamin

supplements daily!) The theory behind these disease-preventing

claims are based on the antioxidant properties of vitamins A, C and E

which disable free radicals in the body and therefore minimise

cellular damage. An excess of Free radicals are thought to be the

cause of several diseases such as cancer and heart disease. There have

been several epidemiological studies that have shown that there are

lower incidences of these diseases in people whose diets are rich in

antioxidant rich foods (fruits, vegetables).

 

One study showed that high doses of beta-carotene increase the risk

of lung cancer in smokers (the scientists conducting the study

hypothesised that beta carotene would decrease lung cancer rates in

smokers by 25 – 50%).

 

Several studies have shown that high doses of retinol taken over

years caused an increase in fractures and osteoporosis in men and

women.

 

The two time noble prizewinner, Linus Pauling, believed that a high

dose of vitamin C prevents colds. Evidence shows that Vitamin C

does not prevent colds but can shorten the duration by 20% and lessen

the degree of symptoms.

 

Scientists at kings college (university of London) hypothesised

that vitamin E from capsules would be better absorbed when taken with

some fat (full fat milk) compared to when taken with just water. This

is because vitamin E is fat-soluble. The results were surprising as

they showed that vitamin E was absorbed equally well with water and

with full fat milk.

 

The conclusion was that most healthy people do not need vitamin

supplements as long as they are eating a balanced diet and that

high doses of vitamins can be dangerous. Some people may require

supplements, for example, pregnant women are advised to tale folate

supplements to reduce the risk of birth defects.

 

I believe that most healthy people eating a balanced diet do not

need supplements to stay healthy, but, what about achieving optimum

health and decreasing the risk of disease? can this be achieved

without the aid of supplements? Of course as high doses of vitamins

and minerals can be harmful (and may not be beneficial) I believe that

one multivitamin and mineral supplement daily (along with a balanced

diet) is all that we need to achieve optimum nutrition.

 

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