UP TO the end of the last century, mainstream medicine was openly hostile to the idea of healthy people taking vitamin supplements. Only recently has this antivitamin position begun to change as irrefutable evidence emerged showing that vitamin supplements could reduce the risk of many common diseases. Sadly, it is still common practice for doctors to tell their patients that they did not need vitamin supplements if they were eating a 'balanced' diet.
In April 1998, the editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine was entitled 'Eat Right and Take A Multivitamin'. This article indicated that certain vitamin supplements could reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It was the first time that a prestigious medical journal was recommending vitamin supplements.
An even stronger endorsement for the use of vitamin supplements came in the June 19, 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Harvard University doctors reported that people who get enough vitamins might be able to prevent such common illnesses as cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Today nearly 35 per cent of North Americans take multivitamins but many are reluctant to tell their doctors for fear that they may disapprove. I suspect that the same situation exists right here in Jamaica, although I have observed that a number of my Jamaican medical colleagues are now recommending vitamin and herbal supplements to their patients. I applaud them.
However, to confuse the issue, research suggests that as much as one-third of dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, and herbals), mostly imported from the United States, have one or all of the following problems:
a) The products do not contain what the label says it should.
b) The products contain other undisclosed substances in addition to what is on the label that may create a health hazard.
c) The active ingredients in a supplement may not be readily absorbed (or bioavailable) by the system and is thus ineffective.
Fortunately, the Ministry of Health is currently seeking to find ways to protect the interest of the public in this matter. I hope, however, that in doing so the right of the individual to choose supplements for himself/ herself will not be infringed upon.
After all, the possible problems that may arise from taking supplements are minute when compared with the side effects of prescription medication. Just imagine: over 150,000 Americans die each year from the side effects of drugs prescribed by their doctors!
Here are some guidelines to help you in your choice and use of nutritional supplements:
CHOOSE A REPUTABLE BRAND
Cheapest is not necessarily the best. Choose products from a company that has an established reputation for high quality and effective products. Speak with individuals who have used that brand and have them share their experience with you. Well-trained network marketers of nutritional supplements are particularly helpful in this regard as they are usually heavy consumers of the products they sell. Some, but not all, health food store personnel may also be helpful. I myself very carefully select the brand of supplements I recommend to my clients.
READ THE LABELS
The United States Food and Drug Administration monitors and regulates dietary supplements using two main laws:
The Megadosage Law, which says that no food supplement should have an amount of any one ingredient that could create harm when taken at the recommended dosage.
The Labelling Law, which says that any potential side effect that a dietary supplement may have and any necessary warnings about the use of such a product should appear on the product's label.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous manufacturers often get away with outright fraud and that is why my first recommendation is so important.
Pay little attention to RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) values on the labels. The RDA is the minimum amount of a vitamin necessary to prevent you from being seriously deficient. I believe that those levels are far too low for optimal health benefits. In fact, many experts obsolete and irrelevant to modern nutritional practice
EDUCATE YOURSELF
The more informed you become about nutrition, the more responsibility you can take for maintaining excellent health. There are many books, tapes, seminars and Internet sites that provide good information.
TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR
It is important that your doctor knows that you are taking supplements. If your doctor is unwilling to discuss the matter with you, then I would suggest that you seek a second opinion or even change your health care provider. Remember, some doctors are poorly educated on nutritional supplementation.
BALANCE YOUR NUTRITION
Despite their importance, multivitamin tablets alone are not a replacement for a balanced, healthy diet. They should complement your diet. Particularly try to have at least seven servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. These contain a variety of beneficial substances, known and unknown. Try to include a high quality nutritional protein shake drink in your daily diet. Remember, good cellular nutrition is basic to good health.
Email Dr. Tony Vendryes at Vendryes@mac.com, visit the website at www.anounceofoprevention.org or listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on Power 106 FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
