CRN Voices Concern Over Irresponsible Conclusions Reached By Researchers In The Lancet

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CRN Voices Concern Over Irresponsible Conclusions Reached By Researchers In The

Lancet

 

 

WASHINGTON, Jun 12, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Council for Responsible

Nutrition (CRN) today reacted strongly to a meta-analysis on vitamin E and

beta-carotene appearing in the June 14 issue of The Lancet, calling the study's

conclusions " irresponsible, overinterpreted, and old news disguised as something

new for publicity purposes. "

The meta-analysis, conducted by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic

Foundation, provided overgeneralized interpretations of previously published

clinical trials on vitamin E and beta-carotene and their effect on heart health.

According to John Hathcock, Ph.D., CRN's vice president, scientific and

international affairs, " This meta-analysis hasn't told us anything we didn't

already know. But that didn't stop the researchers from making sweeping

statements that are not justifiable based on the studies they reviewed. For

example, they discount the potential benefit of vitamin E for heart disease

based largely on their review of secondary intervention trials on subjects with

established heart disease. But what many researchers refer to as the

'antioxidant hypothesis' is the belief that antioxidants may be effective in

decreasing the risk of heart disease if consumed before the atherosclerosis

develops. "

CRN also pointed out that the researchers suggest that beta-carotene

supplementation should be discouraged, even though none of the beta-carotene

studies included in the article suggest a risk to non-smokers. The evidence for

a small but statistically significant risk with high-dose beta-carotene is

derived entirely from two clinical trials in smokers and in others at high risk

of heart disease. In both of those trials, the increased risk occurred primarily

in people who smoked, and as a result it is generally recommended that smokers

should not use high-dose beta-carotene.

" It is nothing short of irresponsible for the researchers to suggest that

research on vitamin E and beta-carotene be stopped, " said Dr. Hathcock. " In

fact, the researchers admit that their analysis 'does not disprove' the

antioxidant hypothesis. They even outline a variety of approaches that could be

taken in further studies. It would be a major disservice to the public health to

stop research on antioxidants in relation to heart disease. "

" In contrast to the assertion of the authors, this meta-analysis is not the last

word on the benefits of vitamin E and beta-carotene, " said Dr. Hathcock. " It

appears they are simply trying to make headlines by taking old news and adding

drastic and unjustified recommendations. "

Vitamin E is a safe and effective antioxidant and an essential nutrient required

for maintenance of health. It has potential benefits for vision, Alzheimer's

disease, counteracting free radicals to play a role in fighting cancers, and

reducing the risk of coronary disease. Beta-carotene is a safe and effective

form of vitamin A, which like all vitamins, is essential to health and to life

itself. Scientists consider it desirable for part of the vitamin A activity in

the diet or in a multivitamin to be derived from beta- carotene. Experts at The

Linus Pauling Institute Conference on Diet and Optimum Health, a recent

conference on antioxidants, emphasized the need for more research to identify

optimal intakes of antioxidant nutrients for health promotion and disease

prevention.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington,

D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement industry ingredient

suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics,

comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality

standards under good manufacturing practices.

SOURCE Council for Responsible Nutrition

CONTACT: Judy Blatman of the Council for Responsible Nutrition,

+1-202-204-7962

URL: www.crnusa.org http://www.prnewswire.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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