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Toch even zeggen dat ik zelf geen tegenstander ben van het gebruik van vitamine pillen, zeker niet bij BB. Maar toch aardig om lezen en als discussievoer.
[Abeelding niet meer beschikbaar]
Vitamin pills 'are useless'
By James Chapman
Vitamin pills have no health benefits and are a waste of money, a major report says today.
They give no protection against diseases, including serious illnesses such as cancer, strokes or heart disease, Oxford University scientists found.
And those who take them would be better off simply spending their cash on fruit and vegetables.
Research leader Professor Rory Collins said: 'They are safe - we didn't find any hazards. But they are useless.'
The findings of the first study to test the long-term effects of the three most popular types of vitamin pill will shock millions of Britons.
We spend £175million a year on supplements and pills that contain antioxidants claimed to help combat disease.
Most popular are vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, the pigment found in carrots, tomatoes and broccoli, which the body converts into Vitamin A. Ten million Britons take these vitamins regularly.
In their groundbreaking study, the researchers tracked 20,000 people. Half were given daily doses of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene for five years, the other half were given dummy pills.
Those taking the vitamins were just as likely to die from any cause over the period of the study, the scientists report in medical journal The Lancet.
They had no protection against a heart attack, stroke or cancer. There was also no benefit to bone or eye health.
Though it has been suggested that vitamin E might slow the decline of the brain, the researchers found no evidence of any benefit.
Rates of respiratory disease such as asthma, also thought to be helped by antioxidant vitamins, were the same in people taking the supplements and those taking dummy pills.
Those on vitamins actually had a small but definite increase in the amount of 'bad' cholesterol compared to those taking dummy pills, though this did not translate into an increased risk of ill health.
Professor Collins said: 'We continued the treatment for five years and we saw absolutely no effect on vascular disease or any cancers.
'There have been claims that vitamins might protect you against cataracts, there was no effect; that vitamins might prevent fractures by preventing osteoporosis, there was no effect.'
He said the best way to get vitamins and minerals was from a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables. 'There is no need to supplement this with vitamin pills.'
Fellow researcher Dr Jane Armitage said the doses given to the volunteers were equivalent to many over-the-counter supplements.
The patients, aged 40 to 80, were deemed at high risk of heart attack or stroke because they suffered coronary disease, artery disease or diabetes.
They received 600mg of vitamin E, 250mg of vitamin C and 20mg of beta-carotene combined in two daily capsules.
Earlier studies had suggested these vitamins could reduce the risk of various types of cancer and heart disease. But the Oxford scientists said these effects merely reflected other aspects of the diets and lifestyles of those who were taking vitamins.
Last night the Health Supplements Information Service said: 'This study was carried out across a narrow group of people who had conditions putting them at high risk of contracting heart disease, such as diabetes, and over a relatively short period of time.
'Antioxidants have widely proven benefits when taken by the general population as a supplement to a balanced diet or when a person's diet does not contain enough nutrients.
'They are not intended to be used for the treatment or prevention of serious illnesses such as heart disease or cancer.'
A recent report said sales of vitamins, minerals and supplements rose by 3 per cent between 1996 and last year, partly fuelled by endorsements from celebrities such as Madonna and Geri Halliwell.
THE FOOD DOCTOR SAYS:
Natural or Synthetic Vitamins……………which does the body prefer?
When reading about a scientific study it is always worth checking what type or sources of vitamins have been used. It is a well-known fact that natural vitamins have a much greater bioavailablity and potency than synthetic. The vitamin E used in the Heart Protection study was a synthetic variety. There are in fact over six types of natural vitamin E (tocopherols) all of which work together in the body. For maximum absorption potential, a mixed vitamin E supplement should be delivered in an 'emulsified' form. You can't help but wonder if different results would have been achieved if a natural emulsified mixed tocopherol supplement had been selected.
Dietary dose or Therapeutic dose……….which would be more appropriate?
The dosages of antioxidants used in the trial were selected to cover the average dietary nutrient intake. However, when dealing with people already existing in a high-risk health zone a nutrition consultant would recommend therapeutic dosages. Therapeutic dosages are much higher than RDA's or that which would be delivered by the average daily diet. For example, a nutrition consultant would consider 250mg of vitamin C to be an extremely low dose. Most people are used to taking 1000mg of vitamin C daily, over the winter months, just to stay protected from catching the flu. It is unlikely that 250mg is going to prevent a heart attack for someone who already has extensive cardiovascular damage.
Only those with 'High Risk' of mortality accepted on the trial.
One of the main points to make regarding the Heart Protection study is the method of recruitment of participants. Although the trial age was set at 40-80 over a quarter of the 20 536 individuals recruited were over 70 years of age. 41% had already had a heart attack and 24% had some other history of coronary heart disease. All participants were recruited…..'provided they were considered to be at substantial 5-year risk of death from coronary heart disease because of past medical history of coronary heart disease, of other occlusive arterial disease, of diabetes mellitus, or of treated hypertension alone.'
What about diet and lifestyle?
Although the trial showed no significant reduction in the number of moralities for the group taking vitamins, compared to placebo, we must remember that no dietary or lifestyle modification had been made. Vitamins do not replace the need for drastic healthy dietary and lifestyle changes when health has reached an all time critical low. What this trial suggests is that it's not an adequate option to wait until you are critically sick and then take a handful of supplements and think that everything is going to be ok. Vitamin supplements should be considered as an extra preventative measure on top of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Taking antioxidants along side a healthy diet, during the years before you reach old age or ill health helps prevent the onset of serious illness later on in life.
How to make health dietary and lifestyle changes?
If your suffer from a serious illness or are at risk of heart attack then a great way to find out what dietary and lifestyle changes you need to make is to see a nutrition consultant. This will also give you advice on a therapeutic level of antioxidant vitamins.
[Abeelding niet meer beschikbaar]
Vitamin pills 'are useless'
By James Chapman
Vitamin pills have no health benefits and are a waste of money, a major report says today.
They give no protection against diseases, including serious illnesses such as cancer, strokes or heart disease, Oxford University scientists found.
And those who take them would be better off simply spending their cash on fruit and vegetables.
Research leader Professor Rory Collins said: 'They are safe - we didn't find any hazards. But they are useless.'
The findings of the first study to test the long-term effects of the three most popular types of vitamin pill will shock millions of Britons.
We spend £175million a year on supplements and pills that contain antioxidants claimed to help combat disease.
Most popular are vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, the pigment found in carrots, tomatoes and broccoli, which the body converts into Vitamin A. Ten million Britons take these vitamins regularly.
In their groundbreaking study, the researchers tracked 20,000 people. Half were given daily doses of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene for five years, the other half were given dummy pills.
Those taking the vitamins were just as likely to die from any cause over the period of the study, the scientists report in medical journal The Lancet.
They had no protection against a heart attack, stroke or cancer. There was also no benefit to bone or eye health.
Though it has been suggested that vitamin E might slow the decline of the brain, the researchers found no evidence of any benefit.
Rates of respiratory disease such as asthma, also thought to be helped by antioxidant vitamins, were the same in people taking the supplements and those taking dummy pills.
Those on vitamins actually had a small but definite increase in the amount of 'bad' cholesterol compared to those taking dummy pills, though this did not translate into an increased risk of ill health.
Professor Collins said: 'We continued the treatment for five years and we saw absolutely no effect on vascular disease or any cancers.
'There have been claims that vitamins might protect you against cataracts, there was no effect; that vitamins might prevent fractures by preventing osteoporosis, there was no effect.'
He said the best way to get vitamins and minerals was from a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables. 'There is no need to supplement this with vitamin pills.'
Fellow researcher Dr Jane Armitage said the doses given to the volunteers were equivalent to many over-the-counter supplements.
The patients, aged 40 to 80, were deemed at high risk of heart attack or stroke because they suffered coronary disease, artery disease or diabetes.
They received 600mg of vitamin E, 250mg of vitamin C and 20mg of beta-carotene combined in two daily capsules.
Earlier studies had suggested these vitamins could reduce the risk of various types of cancer and heart disease. But the Oxford scientists said these effects merely reflected other aspects of the diets and lifestyles of those who were taking vitamins.
Last night the Health Supplements Information Service said: 'This study was carried out across a narrow group of people who had conditions putting them at high risk of contracting heart disease, such as diabetes, and over a relatively short period of time.
'Antioxidants have widely proven benefits when taken by the general population as a supplement to a balanced diet or when a person's diet does not contain enough nutrients.
'They are not intended to be used for the treatment or prevention of serious illnesses such as heart disease or cancer.'
A recent report said sales of vitamins, minerals and supplements rose by 3 per cent between 1996 and last year, partly fuelled by endorsements from celebrities such as Madonna and Geri Halliwell.
THE FOOD DOCTOR SAYS:
Natural or Synthetic Vitamins……………which does the body prefer?
When reading about a scientific study it is always worth checking what type or sources of vitamins have been used. It is a well-known fact that natural vitamins have a much greater bioavailablity and potency than synthetic. The vitamin E used in the Heart Protection study was a synthetic variety. There are in fact over six types of natural vitamin E (tocopherols) all of which work together in the body. For maximum absorption potential, a mixed vitamin E supplement should be delivered in an 'emulsified' form. You can't help but wonder if different results would have been achieved if a natural emulsified mixed tocopherol supplement had been selected.
Dietary dose or Therapeutic dose……….which would be more appropriate?
The dosages of antioxidants used in the trial were selected to cover the average dietary nutrient intake. However, when dealing with people already existing in a high-risk health zone a nutrition consultant would recommend therapeutic dosages. Therapeutic dosages are much higher than RDA's or that which would be delivered by the average daily diet. For example, a nutrition consultant would consider 250mg of vitamin C to be an extremely low dose. Most people are used to taking 1000mg of vitamin C daily, over the winter months, just to stay protected from catching the flu. It is unlikely that 250mg is going to prevent a heart attack for someone who already has extensive cardiovascular damage.
Only those with 'High Risk' of mortality accepted on the trial.
One of the main points to make regarding the Heart Protection study is the method of recruitment of participants. Although the trial age was set at 40-80 over a quarter of the 20 536 individuals recruited were over 70 years of age. 41% had already had a heart attack and 24% had some other history of coronary heart disease. All participants were recruited…..'provided they were considered to be at substantial 5-year risk of death from coronary heart disease because of past medical history of coronary heart disease, of other occlusive arterial disease, of diabetes mellitus, or of treated hypertension alone.'
What about diet and lifestyle?
Although the trial showed no significant reduction in the number of moralities for the group taking vitamins, compared to placebo, we must remember that no dietary or lifestyle modification had been made. Vitamins do not replace the need for drastic healthy dietary and lifestyle changes when health has reached an all time critical low. What this trial suggests is that it's not an adequate option to wait until you are critically sick and then take a handful of supplements and think that everything is going to be ok. Vitamin supplements should be considered as an extra preventative measure on top of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Taking antioxidants along side a healthy diet, during the years before you reach old age or ill health helps prevent the onset of serious illness later on in life.
How to make health dietary and lifestyle changes?
If your suffer from a serious illness or are at risk of heart attack then a great way to find out what dietary and lifestyle changes you need to make is to see a nutrition consultant. This will also give you advice on a therapeutic level of antioxidant vitamins.
