Multivitamins have no health benefit?

[tsptalk]

Say it isn't so.

Multivitamin researchers say "case is closed" after studies find no health benefits

“Enough” with the multivitamins already.

That’s the message from doctors behind three new studies and an editorial that tackled an oft-debated question in medicine: Do daily multivitamins make you healthier?

After reviewing the available evidence and conducting new trials, the authors have come to a conclusion of “no.”

Multivitamins won't boost health, waste of money: Researchers - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/multivitamin-researchers-say-case-is-closed-supplements-dont-boost-health/)

[ebbnflow]

Only vitamin I take is D3 (1000 IU). Many of us don't know we're deficient in this vitamin. 10 minutes under the sun should give us enough of this vitamin, but the winter is problematic (we're covered from head to toe). Cancer prevention starts with this essential vitamin.

[Intrepid_Timer]

This is a VERY flawed study and really not worth reading. The study group was 65 and older doctors? That's it? That alone is flawed enough NOT to warrant telling the entire population that "multi-vitamins should be avoided". I'm also curious why a "scientist" would say the following:

“Sales of multivitamins and other supplements have not been affected by major studies with null results, and the U.S. supplement industry continues to grow, reaching $28 billion in annual sales in 2010,” wrote the authors of the editorial summary, led by Dr. Eliseo Guallar"

Why is this particular "scientist" concerned about sales for? Since this was his perspective going into the study, the results were probably biased as well. Been there seen that. I wonder what drugs he does recommend............ :rolleyes:

[ebbnflow]

Learn how to listen to your body. If you're constipated, make sure not to skip eating fruits and veggies each day. Have a bag of ready to eat (washed already) baby carrots for days when you know "I didn't get enough fiber."

Buy some sunflower and pumpkin seeds for natural vitamin E, omega3, and fiber. A handful a day would do wonders.

If your ankles and feet are soft, watery, and swollen (edema), it probably means you're taking in too much salt. In the cellular level, salt replaces potassium and robs you of energy (eat potassium-rich foods).

[tsptalk]

Michael Savage, who is a nutritionist, is all over this story on his radio show tonight, calling it B.S.

[ebbnflow]

Do keep in mind that eating a well-balanced diet is enough to get your daily dose of vitamins (naturally).

Some like vitamin E have been shown to be bad or ineffective when taken as supplements. :worried:

[jonfresno]

My doctor is a big proponent of a good diet, exercise and limiting sodium intake. He's a firm believer in the paleo diet, eliminating processed carbs, sticking with fruits, veggies and lean proteins. Good sense of humor too. When he reviews my records each year for my physical, he sees in his notes that I take a multivitamin. Same question every year - "So, are you still throwing your money away?" "Why yes, yes I am..." Maybe it's time to stop.

[k0nkuzh0n]

Im not buying that multivitamins are useless but they also arent the miracle pills theyve been marketed as.

I love when the same people who praise multivitamins then turn around and talk about enriched/fortified foods (like enriched bread) are bad for you. Multivitmanins arent exactly ground up fresh fruits and vegetables

[ebbnflow]

Having too much of a good thing can be bad sometimes. Case in point: We only need 22 IU of vitamin E, but supplements come in at 100 to 400 IU. Read why that may be bad for you:

Vitamins & Supplements: Are They Really Bad for Us? | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/19/vitamins-supplements-are-really-bad-for-us/)

And, what's the deal about those 1000X the daily recommended allowance? The vitamin may be soluble and pass through the body's system, but why the overkill? :worried:

[burrocrat]

i don't know about all this health food/vitamin stuff, but i'm pretty sure i could use more lithium.

[nnuut]

Many say as you age you require more vitamins and minerals due to decreased ability of the body to absorb what you get from food only no matter what you eat.

Nutrition Needs in Older Adults - Online Medical Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center (http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=2321)

[Intrepid_Timer]

My doctor is a big proponent of a good diet, exercise and limiting sodium intake. He's a firm believer in the paleo diet, eliminating processed carbs, sticking with fruits, veggies and lean proteins. Good sense of humor too. When he reviews my records each year for my physical, he sees in his notes that I take a multivitamin. Same question every year - "So, are you still throwing your money away?" "Why yes, yes I am..." Maybe it's time to stop.

You're still alive right? ;)

[Intrepid_Timer]

"The problem with all these headlines is they're based on an editorial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a pro-pharma publication almost entirely funded by pharmaceuticals which compete with multivitamins. When I visited the study publication page (http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1789253) on Annals.org, I was immediately greeted with a pop-up advertisement trying to hawk a pharmaceutical drug.

It's almost as if the pharma-funded publication is saying, "Here, while we trash the reputation of vitamins, why don't you buy some drugs from our sponsors?"

Learn more: Mainstream media attacks multivitamins in yet another example of quack science catapulted into the news by pharma interests (http://www.naturalnews.com/043254_mainstream_media_multivitamins_quack_scienc e.html#ixzz2nkEcti00)

[jonfresno]

You're still alive right? ;)

So far so good! Besides, they're cheap buggers when you get a large bottle of the stuff from Sams Club.

[Intrepid_Timer]

So far so good! Besides, they're cheap buggers when you get a large bottle of the stuff from Sams Club.

I really don't know for sure if they are good for us or bad for us, although I highly doubt the latter. One thing I do know for sure from my years as a scientific researcher, the placebo effect is a real and documented effect and must be included as a control in any credible research study. If one thinks it will work, the odds increase that it will..............

Other than that, we all just need to go live in the country and raise our meat and grow our own veggies. :) Of course, we'd still have to pay taxes.................

[Buster]

This is a VERY flawed study and really not worth reading. The study group was 65 and older doctors? That's it? That alone is flawed enough NOT to warrant telling the entire population that "multi-vitamins should be avoided". I'm also curious why a "scientist" would say the following:

“Sales of multivitamins and other supplements have not been affected by major studies with null results, and the U.S. supplement industry continues to grow, reaching $28 billion in annual sales in 2010,” wrote the authors of the editorial summary, led by Dr. Eliseo Guallar"

Why is this particular "scientist" concerned about sales for? Since this was his perspective going into the study, the results were probably biased as well. Been there seen that. I wonder what drugs he does recommend............ :rolleyes:This one time I will have to agree with you...the study is bogus and I've seen many like this one too......Personally I have been taking a multivitamin/mineral regiment for over 30 years and tailoring what and how much I take to compensate for my age...so far so good.....And as far as getting the right amount of Vitamins and minerals from the food we eat....well good luck with that..the soils in which most food stuff grow in, including what cattle eat...is so leeched from eons of farming that there is very little natural nutrients left..so therefore the food is also lacking.

[Intrepid_Timer]

This one time I will have to agree with you...the study is bogus and I've seen many like this one too......Personally I have been taking a multivitamin/mineral regiment for over 30 years and tailoring what and how much I take to compensate for my age...so far so good.....And as far as getting the right amount of Vitamins and minerals from the food we eat....well good luck with that..the soils in which most food stuff grow in, including what cattle eat...is so leeched from eons of farming that there is very little natural nutrients left..so therefore the food is also lacking.

Dang, I agree with what you said as well. Who wudda thunk....................;)