Some supplements may up older women's death odds
A new study suggests dietary supplements may be linked to a slightly increased risk of death in older women.
The 19-year study involved about 39,000 women with an average age of 62.
Those taking multivitamins or supplements of iron, Vitamin B-6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc and copper had, on average, a 2.4 percent increased chance of death over the course of the research.
Iron had the highest associated risk.
But one supplement -- calcium -- appeared to reduce the risk of death.
The study, appearing in the The Archives of Internal Medicine, didn't look at a possible direct cause-and-effect dynamic. It was an observational study based on self-reported supplement use and, its authors say, a range of factors aside from the use of supplements could have impacted the outcome.
"The headline," CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton cautioned, "like many, can be deceiving. This study was based on associated findings - it did not show a biologic cause-and-effect. (It was a) very large study done from 1986 to 2004 in Finland, very large study. They looked at almost 40,000 women, average age 62. That's important. They found in this group, 85 percent of them too took at least one dietary supplement a day, very similar to what we do here in this country. (The study) found an associated increased risk of desk among these older women for those in particular taking vitamin B-6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc and copper. (The research) didn't say why, but did show that they had an increased risk of dying."
What is it about these supplements that causes the increased risk?
"In general," Ashton responded to "Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge, "we don't know. One well-respected doctor I work with said he's very skeptical about dietary supplements not because he thinks they don't work, but precisely because he thinks they do work. And in fact, we don't have enough data, we don't have enough well-constructed research to show us what the effect of these particular vitamins can do, especially when taken in high doses, excessive quantities.
"In particular, this study showed iron had an increased risk of death. And we know that, for certain people with certain types of blood disorders, excessive iron can be dangerous to the heart and liver."
"Early Show on Saturday Morning" co-anchor pointed out that many women take iron supplements, including those who are pregnant.
"Most women, most patients don't consider these supplements to be like medication," Ashton pointed out, "and in fact, they should."
Ashton offered tips for anyone taking supplements:
"Number one, if you are taking anything, especially when you've been taking it for (a long time), you want to discuss these with your doctor. You want to try to avoid self-diagnosis and falling into that trap of the marketing and advertising claims that a lot of these supplements portend. And also, do not assume that more is better. Really, do not take more than the recommended dosage, because we do know that these vitamins, like anything, can be dangerous."
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This study is a classic example of scientific reductionism being used to fulfill a particular need. In this case, it's supplement bashing, a well-known preoccupation of Big Pharma — and an approach that appears to be central to the protection of Big Pharma's profit margins. Read our complete rebuttal against this junk science here http://www.anh-usa.org/shame-on-ama-archives-of-internal-medicine/
See, big business doesn't want the figurative "sheep" to know what's up, but if you just step back and take a minute to think about the repercussions of the fast lifestyle we are so used to and how horrible it is for us, you'd see it's not the supplements-but the crap we consume daily that's the problem.
On a side note, it is a well known fact that if you take vitamins in excess, it can be harmful. It's not rocket science people!!!
Then came the Pharma campaign to get rid of Tryptophan, and now vitamins are a huge threat to Big Pharma. Of course, so is information and education.
It's important for us all to read thoroughly before believing. Just because it's "medical" doesn't mean it's true!
This hardly sounds resoundingly one-sided to me, despite all the comments accusing the article of being one-sided in favor of Big Pharma.
What you should also take into consideration is these so called scary, dietary supplements can also be found in your food and I mean wholesome food not junk food. So I suggest you don't eat anything that is called is vegetables that has some of these "Dietary Supplements" in them naturally and you should continue consuming pharmaceuticals as your dietary supplement, because folks this "ob gyn" knows here stuff she's a surgeon practices c section.
Just sounds like to me more propaganda to denounce supplements since the foods we do consume have been adulterated and rob from our so called "Dietary Supplements" that should already be in our food to begin with.
I digress and don't know what I'm talking about.
I think women take way more supplements than necessary. The body is good at taking care of itself, as long as she eats right and exercises.
Please send me $100 and I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge!