HSI e-Alert - In a Kingdom Far Away

[Guest guest]

" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - In a Kingdom Far Away

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 08:23:03 -0400

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

What exactly is a " new scientist " ?

 

Maybe she's a scientist who sees the science she wants to see, and

ignores the science that doesn't square up with her hypothesis.

 

The " she " in this case is Dr. Lisa Melton who recently contributed an

article to New Scientist magazine. And the title of her article tells

you exactly what to expect: " The Antioxidant Myth: A Medical Fairy Tale "

 

Yes, it's time for antioxidant supplements to take another beating

with " proof " that they're ineffective, and " may even be harmful. " (Cue

the spooky organ music and rumbling thunder.)

 

But when Dr. Melton spun her grim fairy tale, she probably didn't

expect a knight in shining armor to rush in and defend the honor of

antioxidant supplements.

 

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Once upon a time...

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" You name it, " Dr. Melton writes, " if it's an antioxidant, we'll

swallow it by the bucket-load. "

 

The condescending implication, of course, is that we're all being

duped into gulping down dozens of useless supplements. Dr. Melton

recognizes the value of dietary antioxidants, but in her New Scientist

article she puts the emphasis on clinical trials that " prove "

antioxidant supplements are ineffective.

 

And don't forget the dangers! This part of Dr. Melton's article is

like a trip down antioxidant-bashing memory lane. She cites the

research that shows smokers to be at higher risk of lung cancer when

they take beta-carotene supplements. And of course she highlights that

now-famous vitamin E study that found supplements of the vitamin might

increase the risk of " all cause mortality. " (In other words, vitamin E

supplements will kill you in a variety of different ways!)

 

Usually when this type of article makes an appearance, it's taken at

face value by mainstream media outlets that produce quick little

articles with scare headlines. This time, however, at least one

organization did some actual reporting. In two separate articles,

NutraIngredients-USA supplies quotes from several researchers and

nutritionists who have some very strong opinions about Dr. Melton's

conclusions.

 

And a perfect place to start is with a quote regarding that vitamin E

study. From Angelo Azzi, M.D., of Tufts University: " [The

meta-analysis] is flawed. We re-analyzed the data and there is no

change in mortality. "

 

Thank you, Dr. Azzi!

 

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Missing details

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The beta-carotene claim also gets a makeover.

 

In the e-Alert " Roll Out the Barrel " (4/4/06), I told you about new

research that found beta-carotene alone to pose a danger for smokers,

but when the antioxidant was consumed with other antioxidant-rich

foods the danger was significantly reduced.

 

And this is one of the points stressed in the NutraIngredients

articles. When an antioxidant supplement is singled out and studied on

its own, as if it were a drug, the results don't take into account

that antioxidants have been proven to work best when they work together.

 

James R. Bowman, M.D., (who is also a naturopath and nutritionist) was

even more direct in his assessment of Dr. Melton's article: " I have

practiced for 30 years, and have the experience and training to

absolutely refute every false allegation stated in this article which

is short sighted, misleading, poorly researched, and incomplete in its

data and context. "

 

That doesn't leave much wiggle room, does it?

 

But Dr. Melton is a science writer. How could her conclusions about

antioxidant supplements be so off the mark? Maybe her employer

provides a clue. Dr. Melton writes for the Novartis Foundation, a

scientific and educational charity supported by Novartis

Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Excedrin, Bufferin, Maalox, Lamisil, and

a cholesterol-lowering statin drug called Lescol LX.

 

Do you suppose her drug company affiliation might color her point of

view about antioxidant supplements?

 

There is one point that Dr. Melton and I agree on. She says, " Whatever

is behind the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,

you cannot reproduce it by taking purified extracts or vitamin

supplements. "

 

Absolutely right. And that's why they're called SUPPLEMENTS, not

REPLACEMENTS.

 

****************************

 

....and another thing

 

Finally! Men are now getting the true lowdown about prostate cancer

treatment.

 

For several years, in the e-Alert and the HSI Members Alert, we've

stressed the importance of not rushing into invasive prostate cancer

treatments. Even biopsies are often unnecessary and can prompt painful

infections and incontinence.

 

Last week, the mainstream media finally came around. Even the major TV

networks carried reports about a new prostate cancer study from the

University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

 

When researchers examined the cases of about 24,800 men with

lower-risk prostate cancer, they found that more than 13,500 opted for

immediate surgery or radiation therapy. The UM team concluded that

diligent monitoring of prostate cancer symptoms would have been a

better first step.

 

Author of the study, John T. Wei, M.D., told Ivanhoe Newswire, " For

some men with early-stage prostate cancer, surgery or radiation

therapy may result in substantial negative effects without a survival

benefit. "

 

Well put!

 

Here's how I wrapped up an e-Alert earlier this year: " Men take note:

Never trust a single PSA test, and never EVER allow a doctor to

perform a biopsy based on a single test. "

 

For the details that back up that statement, see the e-Alert " Test

Busters " (1/25/06), which you can find at this link:

 

http://www1.youreletters.com/t/400148/2413923/793486/0/

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

**********************

 

Sources:

" The Antioxidant Myth: A Medical Fairy Tale " Dr. Lisa Melton, New

Scientist, 8/5/06, newscientist.com

" New Scientist Slams Antioxidant Supplement Benefits as Myth "

NutraIngredients-USA, 8/4/06, nutraingredients-usa.com

" Antioxidant Supplements - Myth of Misunderstood? "

NutraIngredients-USA, 8/7/06, nutraingredients-usa.com

" Overtreatment Present in Some Prostate Cancer Patients " Ivanhoe

Newswire, 8/16/06, Ivanhoe.com