Guest guest Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 This does not bode well for those who wish to go the vitamin route. Marianne > Daily News from Healthypages > 04/07/2003 > _______________________________ > > Doubt over vitamins’ health benefits > > Insufficient evidence exists to recommend vitamin supplements as a way to > prevent cancer or heart disease, and some may actually increase the risk of > cancer, say US researchers. > > In particular, they warn against the use of beta carotene supplements for > smokers because of a possible increased risk of lung cancer. > > The US Preventive Services Task Force base their conclusions on a review of > studies on the use of vitamins A, C or E, multivitamins with folic acid or > antioxidant combinations to reduce the risk of cancer or cardiovascular disease > in adults. > > The review of trials and observational studies found “no clear benefit†of > taking the supplements for reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke or > various cancers. However, the researchers emphasise that the number and length of > the studies were insufficient to rule out the possible benefits of long-term > vitamin use. > > Although some observational studies suggested possible benefits of vitamins > to cut cancer risk, the task force was unable to say whether they were due to > the dietary supplements or the healthier lifestyles among those who took > them. > > The task force also reviewed the results of four clinical trials, which > found that taking beta carotene failed to decrease the risk of lung, prostate, > colon, breast or non-melanoma skin cancer in middle-aged and older adults. Two > of the clinical trials found that individuals who took beta carotene and > smoked actually increased their chances of lung cancer, and had a higher > mortality risk. > > But Dr Janet Allan, vice chair of the task force, said that vitamin > supplements may be necessary for individuals whose diets do not provide the > recommended amount of vitamins, people suffering from illness and pregnant and nursing > women. > > “However, the benefits of vitamin supplements for the general population > remain uncertain. There are currently a number of important studies underway > which might help answer this important question,†she said. > > The research is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. > > © HMG Worldwide 2003 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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