Article by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen::
A great article written by Doctor Oz and Dr. Roizen in the Examiner Washington, D.C., was quiet interesting and I found it to be informative for those people who take vitamins. I take several vitamins a day myself and I found this article helpful to me and I wanted to share it with each of you.
Before Starting A Vitamin Regimen Check With Your Doctor To See If It Is Compatible With Your Prescribed Medicines:
A new study has many people fearing their daily multivitamin. If you take the right supplements, they are a good insurance policy if you’re a person who doesn’t eat right, but I would suggest that anyone who takes vitamin supplements should always check with your internal doctor or your family physician before taking any vitamin supplement.
Do Vitamins Kill Us?
There’s been some recent scare headlines about taking multivitamins and some of these scare tactics have indicated your multivitamins may be killing you. Listen up, check vitamins you’re unsure of with your doctor, and if he approves, ask him/her the benefits of the vitamin for the human body and if consumption is safe.
A 19-year study of 38,000 Iowa women…found a 6% to 45% higher death risk among those who took supplements. This makes vitamins sound like “the menace in our medicine cabinets.” Many people have not quit taking their supplements because this study is a first step. It’s a population study, and this means it looks for patterns needing further investigation. Yes, it sends warning signals but it doesn’t know if it’s a false alarm…that’s why I suggest you check with a doctor before taking any supplements.
6% to 45% risks stated in the study applies only to comparisons of people actually in the study. When it’s translated into a single person’s risk of dying from taking supplements for 19 years, the range shrinks dramatically: 1% (for multivitamins) to 7% (for copper, the most worrisome finding). The 1% for a multi is so small it could be an error.
Here three unanswered questions: Did the person need to take supplements especially iron? What formulations did they take? Also, the women reportedly ate twice as many fruits and vegetables as the average American. Really? People in Iowa eat more healthfully…yes, home of the state fair (fried but better)…than any place in America?
Another reason why I’m still a supplement fan: The study didn’t monitor some of the proven benefits of the supplements, i.e.…reducing risk for bone fractures if you take calcium. Or the healthier heart, brain and eyes you get from taking DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
Bottom line, the right supplements are still a great insurance policy if you don’t eat right. Here’s what Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen indicates, a multivitamin without copper and if you’re a guy or a post-menopausal woman without iron. Buy one with the recommended intake for most nutrients, but no copper: Copper was linked to the biggest death risk in the study. If you’re not menstruating, choose a multi without iron unless your doc prescribes it. Iron overloads and can damage your heart and liver. Take half your multi in the morning, half in the early part of the evening, which will spread out the coverage.
Vitamin D. It slightly decreased death risk in the study, and its benefits are many, starting with helping bones and brain. We recommend 1,000 IU a day, 1,200 after 60. Note: Make sure it’s D-3, the most active form.
Calcium and magnesium. Calcium lowered death risk in the study and magnesium slightly raised it, both effects are too small and too unusual to act on. The Dr’s. advice: 600 mg calcium daily from a supplement; another 600 from food. Add 200 mg of magnesium to counter the constipation/bloating calcium can cause.
Add favorite extras: Take 200 to 900 mg of the DHA form of omega-3s, the potent fatty acid that protects against memory loss, heart attacks, stroke, impotence, even wrinkles. Add: Lutein too; 20 mg a day guards vision.
Eat good food! A lot of fruits, veggies, beans and 100% whole grains. Eat a little red meat. Some poultry. More fish.
Remember: Smart people, like all of us, know pills support a healthy diet…they don’t replace it. Remember: Do not take mega doses of anything…period!