Clipping Board » Dangerous Medicinal Tonics ─ Nutrients should be moderate in the body—excessive supplementation only becomes a burden.
April 10, 2006
According to a report by the American Broadcasting Company, Americans spend up to $7 billion annually on purchasing vitamins. However, the latest research has found that regularly taking large doses of vitamins is not only not beneficial to health, but may even harm it.
David Katz, an associate professor at Yale University, stated: "Taking large doses of vitamins poses a potential threat to physical health."
Taking large doses of Vitamin E can increase the risk of heart failure and cancer. High doses of Vitamin A can cause fetal malformations and increase the risk of hip fractures. Vitamin C is popular for its supposed ability to prevent colds, but this claim lacks scientific basis. Researchers have found that taking small amounts of Vitamin C might slightly shorten the duration of a cold, but the effect is almost imperceptible. The latest research has discovered that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who also take Vitamin C may experience reduced treatment efficacy. Katz suggests that instead of relying on vitamins, it is better to have a balanced diet and consume more foods rich in vitamins and minerals. If one must take vitamin supplements, only a small amount of a multivitamin is necessary.
Source: http://www. takungpao. com/ news/ 06/ 04/ 10/ GY- 550355. htm
High-Dose Vitamin Supplementation: More Harm Than Good
According to a report by the American Broadcasting Company, Americans spend up to $7 billion annually on purchasing vitamins. However, the latest research has found that regularly taking large doses of vitamins is not only not beneficial to health, but may even harm it.
David Katz, an associate professor at Yale University, stated: "Taking large doses of vitamins poses a potential threat to physical health."
Taking large doses of Vitamin E can increase the risk of heart failure and cancer. High doses of Vitamin A can cause fetal malformations and increase the risk of hip fractures. Vitamin C is popular for its supposed ability to prevent colds, but this claim lacks scientific basis. Researchers have found that taking small amounts of Vitamin C might slightly shorten the duration of a cold, but the effect is almost imperceptible. The latest research has discovered that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who also take Vitamin C may experience reduced treatment efficacy. Katz suggests that instead of relying on vitamins, it is better to have a balanced diet and consume more foods rich in vitamins and minerals. If one must take vitamin supplements, only a small amount of a multivitamin is necessary.
Source: http://www. takungpao. com/ news/ 06/ 04/ 10/ GY- 550355. htm