Will CODEX protect your DNA?

[Guest guest]

" askbillsardi.com "

Will CODEX protect your DNA?

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 11:36:15 -0700

 

 

Will CODEX protect your DNA?

 

Recent scientific studies indicate high-dose nutrients can protect your DNA. But

a worldwide health assembly called CODEX may limit the amount of nutrients in

dietary supplements so this level of protection could never be achieved. To read

the report, and find out what you can do to block CODEX limitations on doses of

nutrients in dietary supplements, go here now..............www.askbillsardi.com.

 

http://askbillsardi.com/sdm.asp?pg=codex04

 

WILL CODEX PROTECT YOUR DNA?

By Bill Sardi

 

What’s next in nutritional medicine? It’s a field called NUTRIGENOMICS and it

has pharmaceutical and food companies drooling. Why? Because scientists now

claim that individualized diets and pharmaceuticals can be designed around a

person’s specific genetic makeup. “The pharmaceutical industry expects to

leverage data from the Human Genome Project to develop new drugs based on the

genetic constitution of the patient; likewise, the food industry has opportunity

to position food and nutritional bioactives to promote health and prevent

disease based upon the genetic constitution of the consumer,” says a recent

report. [J Am Dietetic Assn 103: S50-55, 2003] Notice there was no mention of

vitamin pills, just drugs and foods.

 

Since there are genetic differences in the way humans metabolize foods, what

researchers are suggesting is that “humans must be fed differently according to

the differences in their genetics and metabolic needs.” [Journal Nutrition 133:

4260-66, 2003] Tell that to a 14-year old who likes to wash down cookies with

soda pop daily.

 

“In less than 10 years you’ll be able to go to a lab and complete a set of

genetic tests to identify your personal disease susceptibilities. When you leave

you will be armed with a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid and a

recommendation of dietary supplements to help prevent your diseases,” says the

CEO of a startup nutrigenomics company.

 

Who’s going to pay for the technology?

 

“Imagine the possibility to identify small subgroups based on their individual

genome, create products to satisfy their needs and then to market diets and

products directly to them,” says one researcher. But who is going to pay for all

this new technology? Healthcare costs are soaring already. A drug-company

advisor admits it currently costs $150 or more to identify each of a person’s

genetic flaws. [Nutrigenomics: The next wave in nutrition research, N.

Fogg-Johnson] A hundred people would be screened at a cost of thousands of

dollar to find one person whose genes are flawed and needs a gene-prescribed

diet plan. It isn’t even plausible. But researchers tread onward, raising

capital for startup companies that they say will some day employ these

technologies for the benefit of mankind.

 

Misdirected scientists

 

It’s nothing new for scientists to move in the wrong direction. DNA wasn’t

discovered till the 1950s. Scientists then claimed DNA is the very mechanism for

Darwinian evolution. Mutations in genes would cause new species. It wasn’t still

recently that the human genome was fully mapped. Remarkably, homo sapiens,

considered the “most highly evolved” form of life, doesn’t have the most number

of genes. The human genome is comparatively small, only about 30,000 genes,

compared to a rice kernel with 60,000 genes. In reality, Darwinian evolution has

never been observed or demonstrated and gene mutations produce disease, not

advancements in the species. Nutrigenomics recognizes this fact. A mutation or

break in DNA leads to disease, not a new and more evolved species. Scientists

proceed onward never recognizing their findings are a direct contradiction with

the universal assumption of Darwinian evolution they were taught in school.

 

Nutrient DNA protection

 

It is widely known that deficiencies of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12,

folic acid, niacin, vitamin C or zinc can mimic the DNA damage caused by

radiation. A shortage of folic acid leads to breaks in DNA. Why not fortify

diets and provide nutrient levels in vitamin pills at the dosage that would

adequately protect DNA in the population at large?

 

While researchers are attempting to pinpoint which people have certain genetic

tendencies to develop disease, what goes unsaid is that all humans are 99.9%

identical at the gene sequence level. A deficiency of folic acid, a B vitamin

required for DNA repair, will affect all, not just a few. Humans don’t need

sophisticated nor expensive pharmaceuticals to protect and repair their DNA.

They may only need inexpensive nutrients, available without prescription.

 

How much to protect DNA?

 

So, just how much of these nutrients would be needed to protect our DNA? Another

report says: “The goal of the nutritional sciences is to establish a

scientifically-based Recommended Dietary Allowance for each nutrient,” which is

defined as the level of intake sufficient to meet the needs of 97% of healthy

individuals. However, high dose nutrients may pose problems and therefore an

“upper tolerable intake level” may need to be established. Here’s where

nutrigenomics gets interesting. The level of nutrients required to adequately

protect DNA strand breaks and promote DNA repair is likely to be close to or

exceed the “tolerable upper intake level.” When consumers read “tolerable upper

limit” for vitamin and minerals they often assume that is the toxic level. The

proper term is Safe Upper Limit with the toxic dose usually five times above

that.

 

Nutrigenomicists assert that “Nutritional interventions that target entire

populations must consider adverse consequences to genetic minorities that may

accrue risk while others benefit.” [Physiological Genomics 16: 161-65, 2004]

This statement assumes some will overdose while others may benefit from certain

levels of nutrient fortification. This may be an unfounded fear.

 

For example, the toxic level for vitamin D is 40,000 IU per day, which only

materializes after months have passed. [Am J Clin Nutrition 69:842-56, 1999] The

Safe Upper Limit is 2000 IU. Up to 4000 IU of vitamin D has been consumed

without side effect. [Am J Clin Nutrition 73:288-94, 2001] Blacks, who produce

far less solar-controlled vitamin D due to their genetically-controlled dark

skin pigmentation, will likely require far more vitamin D than others in the

population. Blacks in northern latitudes would be at even higher risk and need

greater amounts of vitamin D, more than any fortified diet could provide. But

the “experts” keep warning the public away from high-dose vitamin D like it were

some sort of poison. Standing in the sun on a summer day in Arizona for an hour

at noontime in your shorts would produce 10,000 IU of natural vitamin D! How

could 2000 IU be of concern in a vitamin pill?

 

How much folic acid to protect DNA?

 

Folic acid-preventable birth defects (spina bifida and anencephaly) are

pandemic, affecting 225,000 children a year. [Community Genetics 5:70-7, 2002].

Food fortification of folic acid is insufficient to prevent birth defects.

[Community Genetics 5:70-7, 2002] Due to a genetic flaw, about 35% of the

population cannot adequately absorb folic acid from foods. The bioavailability

of folic acid from supplements is roughly double that from food. [J Gender

Specific Medicine 2: 24-28, 1999]

 

A significant number of females who have given birth to deformed babies are now

being given 4000 mcg of folic acid to prevent defects in future births. [J

Perinat Neonatal Nursing 17:268-79, 2003]. That is more than 10 times the

Recommended Daily Intake level. The intake of this much folic acid would more

than cut in half the number of deformed babies. [The Lancet 358: 2069-73, 2001]

Why wait till for 100,000 more deformed babies to be born annually and only then

prescribe folic acid pills to high-risk mothers to prevent future birth defects?

The only drawback is folic acid may hide a vitamin B12, deficiency, so give both

of these vitamins together. [british Medical Journal 328:769, 2004] Why not

begin a massive vitamin fortification program now among fertile women and

provide them with supplements at no charge? We could be producing “genetically

protected” babies immediately. We don’t need genetic screening like the

nutrigenomicists propose. We need applied science.

 

The US National Academy of Sciences suggests an upper level of 1000 mcg for

folic acid. This upper limit may become a worldwide standard when a governing

body called CODEX convenes at future assemblies. A World Health Organization

document says “400 mcg/day of folic acid, in addition to dietary folate, would

seem safe. There is probably no great risk of toxicity at a range between 400

and 1000 µg of folic acid per day with the exception of some increased

difficulty in diagnosing pernicious anemia resulting from the masking of the B12

deficiency anemia.” With wording like this, consumers will be misled into

thinking 1000 mcg is potentially toxic and will not exceed 400 mcg of

supplemental folic acid. Usually there are tremendous precautions made when

suggesting any chemical during pregnancy. But health authorities are

recommending 4000 mcg of folic acid for high-risk women during pregnancy! What

kind of harm could come to the public if high-dose folic acid is safe for use by

pregnant

females?

 

One researcher has already determined that healthy adults require a minimum of

700 mcg of folic acid to protect and repair their DNA. [Mutation Research 475:

57-67, 2001] That’s nearly double the Recommended Daily Allowance. This is the

amount for healthy individuals, not sick people.

 

How much vitamin C to protect DNA?

 

How much vitamin C would be required to protect human DNA? The typical American

diet provides about 110 mg of vitamin C. Supplements typically provide anywhere

from 60-200 mg of vitamin C. However a recent animal study showed that it takes

~1400 mg equivalent human dose of vitamin C to completely prevent DNA damage

caused by lead toxicity. [Ann Nutr Metab. 47:294-301, 2003] Dietary sources of

vitamin C would be insufficient. But again the “experts” have attempted to scare

the public away from high-dose vitamin C. A scientific report given tremendous

distribution by the news media was the false claim that high-dose vitamin C

actually has the potential to damage DNA. This was only demonstrated in a test

tube. [science 292: 2083-86, 2001] Actually, upon review it was found that there

were at least five human studies showing up to 10,000 mg of vitamin C does not

damage DNA. [science 293: 1993-95, 2001]

 

A World Health Organization document, to be used as a worldwide standard,

suggests adults only need 45 milligrams of vitamin C. [Report of a joint FAO/WHO

expert consultation, Bangkok, Thailand, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION FOOD AND

AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, Rome, 2002,

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y2809E/y2809e0c.htm#bm12.5] This would obviously

be far less than the amount of vitamin C needed to protect human DNA.

 

Multivitamins have already been recommended by this reporter. Mixed antioxidant

supplements already have been shown to reduce genetic damage.

[Mutagenesis.18:371-6, 2003] Why should health authorities continue to hold up

on advice to take a daily multivitamin any longer?

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY AND DNA DAMAGE Nutrient % US Population Deficient DNA Damage

Health Effects Folic acid 10% Chromosome breaks; hampers DNA repair Colon

cancer, heart disease, brain dysfunction Vitamin B12 4%

(may be 40% in the elderly) Unknown Same as folic acid, memory loss Vitamin B6

10% Same as folic acid Niacin 2% Hampers DNA repair Nerve problems, memory loss

Vitamin C 15% Mimics radiation damage Cataracts, cancer Vitamin E 20%

(may be 95%) Mimics radiation damage Colon cancer, heart disease, immune

dysfunction Vitamin D 40% Prevents gene variations Colon, breast, prostate

cancer Zinc 18% Chromosome breaks Brain and immune dysfunction Source: Adapted

from UC Davis Center for Excellence Nutritional Genomics

CODEX wants to limit your antioxidant protection

 

What is important here is that upcoming CODEX meetings intend to establish

worldwide upper limits on supplemental vitamins and minerals. The Codex

Alimentarius Commission is a world body created in 1963 World Health

Organization to develop food standards and ensure fair trade practices.

[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/#]

 

For a report on the World Health Organization Proposed Human Vitamin and Mineral

Requirements, go to http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y2809E/y2809e00.htm

 

Every country in the world may be coerced by CODEX to limit the amount of

antioxidant nutrients in vitamin pills to prevent unfair competition and prevent

alleged side effects from high-dose nutrients. These upper limits are likely to

be far below the levels required for adequate protection of human DNA.

 

The USA has a representative delegation that attends CODEX. You can voice your

opposition to any proposed limitations or upper limits on the dosage of vitamins

and minerals in dietary supplements by contacting: Elizabeth Yetley, U.S.

Delegate Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses, Food &

Drug Administration. Indicate you are aware that recent scientific studies now

indicate, for the first time, that humanity may be able to protect DNA from

oxidative damage and that you oppose any limitations on the dosage of vitamins

and minerals until more research is conducted. Here is your way of easily

contacting the US CODEX delegation.

 

 

Last name

 

Yetley

 

First name

 

Elizabeth

 

Agency

 

FDA

 

Job title

 

FDA LEAD SCIENTIST FOR NUTRITION

 

Building

 

CPK1

 

Room

 

RM2B014

 

Duty station

 

College Park MD 20740

 

Mail stop

 

HFS-006

 

Phone

 

301-436-1671

 

Fax

 

301-436-2641

 

Internet e-mail

 

elizabeth.yetley

 

 

Bill Sardi [send him mail] is a health journalist and writes columns from time

to time on other current events. His website is www.askbillsardi.com.

 

2004 Bill Sardi Word of Knowledge Agency, San Dimas, California. Not

intended for commercial use or posting on other websites. Permission to reprint

should be obtained from the author.

 

 

Hot News4.16.2004

Why you will never get well taking prescription drugs By Bill Sardi First there

was Neandertha..

4.10.2004

Breakthrough heart drug prevents sudden death By Bill Sardi What is your

greatest health f..

3.29.2004

Vitamin C keeps blood vessels from bursting The Society of Interventional

Radiology has just repo..

View past news

 

Sign our Guestbook!

 

Multi-Vitamin Survey

Copyright 2004 Knowledge of Health. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs