Multivitamin use may offer no benefit in postmenopa...(t recent information from the National I...),Health

Date:2/9/2009

t recent information from the National Institutes of Health published in Archives of Internal Medicine, more than half of Americans use supplements; over $20 billion is spent annually on dietary supplements, with more than one-third of this amount spent on multivitamins. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys show that women are more likely than men to take supplements, and the number of women taking supplements increases steadily among women 30 years of age and up.

Information on whether multivitamins promote health benefits or risks can be confusing to consumers. Clinical studies show folic acid can offer protection from birth defects for women of childbearing age, while other studies suggest antioxidants, especially beta-carotene among smokers, could increase cancer risk.

The WHI study authors acknowledge the potential limitations of their study, and caution against extrapolating their results to the general public. For example, the cohort of women participating in the study was relatively well-educated and had better health habits. Approximately 40 percent had a college degree or higher, and at least 80 percent finished high school.

"What this paper shows is that multivitamin use just doesn't seem to make that much of a difference in this population," says Dr. Wassertheil-Smoller. "It confers no additional benefit but it also does no harm."

Despite the large number of study participants, the researchers emphasize the need for more definitive randomized control trials on multivitamin use. Randomized control studies (RCS) compare treatment groups with placebo groups and are considered the gold standard in clinical research. The first ongoing RCS on multivitamin use in men will be completed in 2012. That study, the Physician's Health Study, looks at thousands of male physicians and compares a commonly used multivitamin, Centrum Silver, to placebo.

"What is encouraging now is that there is a sc
'/>"/>

Contact: Michael Heller sciencenews@aecom.yu.edu 718-430-4186 Albert Einstein College of Medicine Source:Eurekalert

1 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Excessive Multivitamin Use May Raise Risk for Prostate Cancer, from Harvard Mens Health Watch
2. Its Time to Reassess the Value, Safety of Multivitamin Use, Says Harvard Mens Health Watch
3. Leiner Health Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens in Liquimax(R) Multivitamin
4. Vitalize(TM) Receives Top Multivitamin Rating
5. Brides-To-Be Should Say I Do to a Daily Multivitamin With Folic Acid
6. New prion protein discovered by Canadian scientists may offer insight into mad cow disease
7. Health care incentive model offers collaborative approach
8. Eye-staining technique offers early detection for dry eye syndrome
9. Governor Rendell Offers adultBasic Coverage to 35,000 Uninsured Pennsylvanians
10. Mylan Commences Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations for Its 5.750% Senior Notes Due 2010 and 6.375% Senior Notes Due 2015 in Connection With Its Proposed Acquisition of Mercks Generic Pharmaceutical Business
11. Psoriasis Cure Now offers Back to School Resources for Parents of Children with Psoriasis