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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
Hi, this has been on my mind for sometime now, and I wanted to ask you
all a few questions. I have read an article at 'Are Dietary Supplements Safe?' Which says? 'Always tell your health professional if you are using a dietary supplement or if you are thinking about combining a dietary supplement with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a dietary supplement. This is especially important for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.' At: http://www.medical-health-care-infor...upplements.asp While it must be true, I wonder what you have to say about it. Do let me know! Regards, Sherry |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
sherry wrote:
> > Hi, this has been on my mind for sometime now, and I wanted > to ask you all a few questions. I have read an article at > 'Are Dietary Supplements Safe?' Quoting from: http://www.iht.com/articles/1993/03/08/topi_10.php Pills containing iron supplements for pregnant women could be fatal for small children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have warned. The agency said iron poisoning is now the most common cause of child poisoning deaths in the United States. As few as six pills - usually with a glossy red or green sugar coating - could be fatal to a child weighing 22 pounds (10 kilograms) or less. Quoting from: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00259.html Some known risks of nutrients consumed at excessive potencies a - Folic acid: Intakes higher than 1 milligram a day may mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency while pernicious anemia caused by the deficiency progresses undetected. - Iron: As few as six high-potency iron tablets could seriously injure a child weighing 22 pounds or less. Iron is the most common cause of U.S. child poisoning deaths, causing about 2,000 poisonings a year, mainly in young children taking their mothers' prenatal supplements. - Niacin: High intakes can damage the liver and cause severe gastrointestinal problems. - Selenium: High intakes can damage tissue, especially in tissues or organs where selenium concentrates. Toxicity depends on the chemical form and the selenium content of the foods eaten and has occurred with high intakes after a few weeks. - Vitamin A: Continuous high intakes can cause headaches, liver damage (including cirrhosis), bone damage, diarrhea, and, during pregnancy, birth defects. - Vitamin B6: High intakes can cause bone pain, muscle weakness, numbness, or other symptoms of nerve disorder. - Vitamin C: Very high intakes can cause diarrhea and may cause urinary tract problems. - Vitamin D: Continuous high intakes can cause kidney damage and bone deformity. Quoting from: http://www.nutriwatch.org/05Guidelines/mvm.pdf Use of MVMs [multivitamin/mineral supplements] has grown rapidly over the past several decades, and dietary supplements are now used by more than half of the adult population in the United States. In general, MVMs are used by individuals who practice healthier lifestyles, thus making observational studies of the overall relationship between MVM use and general health outcomes difficult to interpret. Despite the widespread use of MVMs, we still have insufficient knowledge about the actual amount of total nutrients that Americans consume from diet and supplements. This is at least in part due to the fortification of foods with these nutrients, which adds to the effects of MVMs or single-vitamin or single-mineral supplements. Historically, fortification of foods has led to the remediation of vitamin and mineral deficits, but the cumulative effects of supplementation and fortification have also raised safety concerns about exceeding upper levels. Thus, there is a national need to improve the methods of obtaining accurate and current data on the public’s total intake of these nutrients in foods and dietary supplements. In systematically evaluating the effectiveness and safety of MVMs in relation to chronic disease prevention, we found few rigorous studies on which to base clear conclusions and recommendations. Most of the studies we examined do not provide strong evidence for beneficial health-related effects of supplements taken singly, in pairs, or in combinations of 3 or more. Within some studies or subgroups of the study populations, there is encouraging evidence of health benefits, such as increased bone mineral density and decreased fractures in postmenopausal women who use calcium and vitamin D supplements. However, several other studies also provide disturbing evidence of risk, such as increased lung cancer risk with beta-carotene use among smokers. The current level of public assurance of the safety and quality of MVMs is inadequate, given the fact that manufacturers of these products are not required to report adverse events and the FDA has no regulatory authority to require labeling changes or to help inform the public of these issues and concerns. It is important that the FDA’s purview over these products be authorized and implemented. Finally, the present evidence is insufficient to recommend either for or against the use of MVMs by the American public to prevent chronic disease. The resolution of this important issue will require advances in research and improved communication and collaboration among scientists, health care providers, patients, the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, and the public. |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
In article .com>,
"sherry" > wrote: > Hi, this has been on my mind for sometime now, and I wanted to ask you > all a few questions. I have read an article at 'Are Dietary > Supplements Safe?' > Which says? > 'Always tell your health professional if you are using a dietary > supplement or if you are thinking about combining a dietary supplement > with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo > your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a dietary > supplement. This is especially important for women who are pregnant or > breast-feeding.' It depends on the supplement and your medical profile. Some medications and supplements can cause an adverse reaction when taken together. In my case, I can't eat anything containing grapefruit because it would render the blood pressure medication I take ineffective. |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
Stan Horwitz wrote:
> It depends on the supplement and your medical profile. Some medications > and supplements can cause an adverse reaction when taken together. In my > case, I can't eat anything containing grapefruit because it would render > the blood pressure medication I take ineffective. Actually what it usually does it potentiate it and make it more potent. |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
"Mark Thorson" > wrote > Quoting from: > http://www.nutriwatch.org/05Guidelines/mvm.pdf > Finally, the present evidence is insufficient > to recommend either for or against the use of > MVMs by the American public to prevent chronic > disease. The resolution of this important issue > will require advances in research and improved > communication and collaboration among scientists, > health care providers, patients, the > pharmaceutical and supplement industries, > and the public. And since there is no financial incentive for anyone to do this research, it ain't gonna happen. I take a multivitamin and a couple of other supplements. It's probably wise to avoid exceeding the RDA by a whole lot. Other than that, you have to research before taking anything just because it is an herb. Some of those herbs can kill you. But then, so can Tylenol. nancy |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
In article .com>,
"sherry" > wrote: > Hi, this has been on my mind for sometime now, and I wanted to ask you > all a few questions. I have read an article at 'Are Dietary > Supplements Safe?' You hear so many different claims on supplements that I find it very difficult to tell what is meaningful information or not. Only last week I heard a podcast about an alleged series of Johns Hopkins studies that show that most supplements are either unnecessary or dangerous. Exceptions were noted and there was an involved discussion of the theory that pills simply cannot reproduce the quality and complexity of nutritional substances found in real foods. Has anyone else heard about that? And then, only a few days later, I heard that there is a strong correlation between vitamin D3 deficiency and breast cancer. Emma |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
Emma Thackery wrote:
> You hear so many different claims on supplements that I find it very > difficult to tell what is meaningful information or not. Only last week > I heard a podcast about an alleged series of Johns Hopkins studies that > show that most supplements are either unnecessary or dangerous. > Exceptions were noted and there was an involved discussion of the theory > that pills simply cannot reproduce the quality and complexity of > nutritional substances found in real foods. Has anyone else heard about > that? > > And then, only a few days later, I heard that there is a strong > correlation between vitamin D3 deficiency and breast cancer. You're going to hear a lot of conflicting information because they're talking about a lot of different nutrients. There's nothing I can say here that will clear up all the confusion, but keep in mind: There's a difference between vitamins taken as supplements (extra, over what one would normally get in a good diet) and deficiencies (when the diet isn't enough). All manner of illnesses and medicines, especially those associated with aging, can interfere with the absorption of nutrients. For example, B-12 deficiency is almost common with the elderly, even if they're eating well. Vitamin shots might be in order. Alcohol and smoking can interfere with the ability to absorb nutrients so supplements might be in order for people who drink and smoke. While it is practically impossible to get toxic amounts of vitamins and minerals from food, it is possible, even easy, to get too much from swallowing pills. I take for granted that pills cannot reproduce the quality and complexity of the nutrition found in food. For one thing, fiber is missing, but that's only the most obvious. On the other hand, the number of people trying to get all their nutrition from pills is blessedly small. When you say that you heard a podcast about an alleged series of Johns Hopkins studies, are you suggesting that the studies weren't done, or weren't done at Johns Hopkins? If that's the case, I suggest that you not listen to those podcasts. --Lia |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
In article >,
Julia Altshuler > wrote: > Emma Thackery wrote: > > > You hear so many different claims on supplements that I find it very > > difficult to tell what is meaningful information or not. Only last week > > I heard a podcast about an alleged series of Johns Hopkins studies that > > show that most supplements are either unnecessary or dangerous. > > Exceptions were noted and there was an involved discussion of the theory > > that pills simply cannot reproduce the quality and complexity of > > nutritional substances found in real foods. Has anyone else heard about > > that? > > > > And then, only a few days later, I heard that there is a strong > > correlation between vitamin D3 deficiency and breast cancer. > > > You're going to hear a lot of conflicting information because they're > talking about a lot of different nutrients. There's nothing I can say > here that will clear up all the confusion... I'm hearing conflicting information because there is conflicting information (on the same nutrients). But you're certainly right about the other thing. [...] > When you say that you heard a podcast about an alleged series of Johns > Hopkins studies, are you suggesting that the studies weren't done, or > weren't done at Johns Hopkins? No. I am suggesting that an unusual claim from a third party (podcast) with no cite is an allegation until it has been documented. > If that's the case, I suggest that you not listen to those podcasts. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc. Emma |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
Quoting from
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/297/8/842 Mortality in Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplements for Primary and Secondary Prevention Goran Bjelakovic, MD, DrMedSci; Dimitrinka Nikolova, MA; Lise Lotte Gluud, MD, DrMedSci; Rosa G. Simonetti, MD; Christian Gluud, MD, DrMedSci JAMA. 2007;297:842-857. Context: Antioxidant supplements are used for prevention of several diseases. Objective: To assess the effect of antioxidant supplements on mortality in randomized primary and secondary prevention trials. Data Sources and Trial Selection: We searched electronic databases and bibliographies published by October 2005. All randomized trials involving adults comparing beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, and selenium either singly or combined vs placebo or vs no intervention were included in our analysis. Randomization, blinding, and follow-up were considered markers of bias in the included trials. The effect of antioxidant supplements on all-cause mortality was analyzed with random-effects meta-analyses and reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-regression was used to assess the effect of covariates across the trials. Data Extraction: We included 68 randomized trials with 232606 participants (385 publications). Data Synthesis: When all low- and high-bias risk trials of antioxidant supplements were pooled together there was no significant effect on mortality (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98-1.06). Multivariate meta-regression analyses showed that low-bias risk trials (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.29) and selenium (RR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.997-0.9995) were significantly associated with mortality. In 47 low-bias trials with 180 938 participants, the antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08). In low-bias risk trials, after exclusion of selenium trials, beta carotene (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11), vitamin A (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.24), and vitamin E (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07), singly or combined, significantly increased mortality. Vitamin C and selenium had no significant effect on mortality. Conclusions: Treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may increase mortality. The potential roles of vitamin C and selenium on mortality need further study. |
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Are Dietary Supplements Safe?
In article >,
Mark Thorson > wrote: > Quoting from > http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/297/8/842 > > Mortality in Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplements > for Primary and Secondary Prevention > Goran Bjelakovic, MD, DrMedSci; Dimitrinka Nikolova, MA; > Lise Lotte Gluud, MD, DrMedSci; Rosa G. Simonetti, MD; > Christian Gluud, MD, DrMedSci > JAMA. 2007;297:842-857. > > Context: Antioxidant supplements are used for prevention > of several diseases. > > Objective: To assess the effect of antioxidant supplements > on mortality in randomized primary and secondary prevention > trials. > > Data Sources and Trial Selection: We searched electronic > databases and bibliographies published by October 2005. > All randomized trials involving adults comparing beta > carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, > and selenium either singly or combined vs placebo or vs > no intervention were included in our analysis. Randomization, > blinding, and follow-up were considered markers of bias > in the included trials. The effect of antioxidant > supplements on all-cause mortality was analyzed with > random-effects meta-analyses and reported as relative > risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). > Meta-regression was used to assess the effect of covariates > across the trials. > > Data Extraction: We included 68 randomized trials with > 232606 participants (385 publications). > > Data Synthesis: When all low- and high-bias risk trials > of antioxidant supplements were pooled together there > was no significant effect on mortality (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, > 0.98-1.06). Multivariate meta-regression analyses > showed that low-bias risk trials (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, > 1.05-1.29) and selenium (RR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.997-0.9995) > were significantly associated with mortality. In 47 low-bias > trials with 180 938 participants, the antioxidant > supplements significantly increased mortality (RR, 1.05; > 95% CI, 1.02-1.08). In low-bias risk trials, after exclusion > of selenium trials, beta carotene (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, > 1.02-1.11), vitamin A (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.10-1.24), and > vitamin E (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07), singly or combined, > significantly increased mortality. Vitamin C and selenium > had no significant effect on mortality. > > Conclusions: Treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and > vitamin E may increase mortality. The potential roles of > vitamin C and selenium on mortality need further study. I cringe every time a study like this comes out because the media does not do a good job of explaining statistics. Relative risk means just that: how much more likely you are to have an event (death, heart attack, cancer, etc.) if you do something compared to if you don't do it. Although these relative risks are statistically significant, the real-life significance is dicey. The highest RR was 1.16. That means a 16% increased likelihood of death. In contrast, the RR for smoking and lung cancer is between 12 and 20. That means you're up to 20 TIMES more likely to die of lung cancer if you smoke. That said, vitamin A supplements in the US are unnecessary for most people. Most of us get more than enough vitamin A in our diets. In addition, the liver stores extra vitamin A quite efficiently. In some cases, TOO efficiently. Megadoses of vitamin A supplements over a long period of time can be detrimental to bone health and can cause liver damage. Bottom line: Cook and eat food containing naturally-occurring nutrients. Do not rely on supplements or to save you from yourself. Cindy -- C.J. Fuller Delete the obvious to email me |
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