Get Your Vitamins From Food, Not Pills

[Mazen]

In a wake up call to the multibillion dollar vitamin pill industry, a review of 67 randomized trials of vitamin pill effects on life and health has found that taking vitamin pills may shorten life (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1, 2008). Other studies have shown that taking vitamin pills may increase risk for cancers and heart attacks.


http://www.dieticiansblog.com/2008/04/28/get-your-vitamins-from-food-not-pills/#comment-804

The study was originally set up to see if antioxidant vitamin pills and minerals prevent gastrointestinal cancers. It found no protection whatever. Instead, an increased death rate of 16 percent was seen in those taking vitamin A pills, seven percent with beta- carotene, and seven percent with vitamin E. No increased death rate was seen in those taking vitamin C or selenium

 

[D Bergy]

I do not think anyone should supplement vitamin A unless you have a actual problem assimilating it. I am surprised by the beta-carotene and vitamin E results.

Food is certainly the best way to get vitamins. Personally other than vitamin D I think minerals are more important than vitamins. There is some debate as to whether whole food vitamins would have produced a different result. In theory, they are food compressed into a pill. In reality i do not know how true that is.

I usually do not take supplements on weekends, just in case I am getting to much of anything.

I also think for people with Crohn's, who are likely lacking ability to absorb certain vitamins, may have a different situation than the average person.

Dan

 

[BWS1982]

The vitamin A and beta carotene does not surprise me, easy to overdo it on insoluble substances, but the Vitamin E does, since it's fat soluble and many supplements top out over 1000% RDA's...

Edit: I'd add that Omega 3 supplementation is possibly more beneficial than any single vitamin, but that can vary on the individuals propensity to become deficient in other areas (ie: Vit D for pred patients, not out in the sun, and so on....)

 

[Mazen]

Maybe the Beta Carotene and Vitamin E they used was synthetic not natural!

I guess a wise way to do it for Crohn's is to only take a 100% RDA multi, as insurance against malabsorption) (this will not overdo it in any vitamin or mineral), Omega 3 fish oil due to its many benefits, and have blood tests to see if there is a major decrease in any nutrients (like VitD, Folic Acid, Iron, B12, Calcium....) and have single supplementation for that

 

[pb4]

I've been taking vitamin A everyday for the last 4 yrs and I aint dead yet LOL....imagine, death by vitamin A, what a trip that would be LOL. I'm obviously not freaked out about dying though anyway, afterall I am a smoker LOL!

 

[duplessis3]

That a few supplements don't work isn't a surprise and doesn't damn all of them. I have anemia (the highest I ever seem to get is the lowest amount considered normal) and not taking my iron supplements in prep for my colonoscopy almost did me in. It took me almost two weeks to get back to a functioning level.