Supplements and Vitamins - DANGEROUS MEDICINE

Supplements and Vitamins

·         Are Supplements Needed?

·         Baby Vitamins – are they dosed improperly?

·         Testosterone Supplements – more dangers

·         Liver damage – sometimes fatal – from supplements

·         Regulation (or lack of) OTC supplements

Are Supplements or Vitamins Needed – The evidence is no

            There have been many health claims about vitamins and supplements (more later on that). However, except for few exceptions (such as Vitamin E for Alzheimer’s and Vitamin D) most studies have shown no benefit; and in fact possible dangers from taking these.  In three studies in several thousand patients there was no benefit in cardiovascular or cognitive functions in those taking multivitamins and supplements. As well, patients taking carotene actually had an increased death rate from lung cancer! The recommendation was: “Most supplements do not prevent chronic disease or death, their use is not justified, and they should be avoided.”

Baby Vitamins – too much

            Many people give their babies vitamins or supplements. In a proper pediatric diet this is usually unnecessary. And it appears that even the available vitamins contain far more than the current recommendations. Over 200 labels of supplements for children under 4 were reviewed and they all contained much more than the daily allowance, sometimes by a factor of 10. In adults it has been shown that certain vitamins are actually dangerous; we do not know what the effect could be on children. I would not use these unless specifically recommended by your doctor.

Testosterone Supplements – heart attack risks

            As the marketing blitz for Low-T continues, we are seeing more side effects of the unnecessary use of testosterone. Most experts do not recommend taking testosterone unless the level is below 200 or 300. However many “clinics” treat at levels up to 500 (which is normal). Aside from the risk of prostate cancer, in a recent review of senior (65 and over) patients given supplements, there was a three times increased risk of a heart attack in the first 90 days. The perceived benefits are not worth the risk.

“Herbal” Supplements – fatal dangers and lack of regulation

            Supplements, whether for body-building, weight loss, menopause, etc have almost no regulation. They often contain dangerous and even life threatening ingredients, as well as unlisted chemicals or even medications! For example an ”herbal” supplement advertised as an alternative to Viagra was found to contain real Viagra! Many body building supplements were found to contain steroids.Of the over 50,000 supplements sold in the United States, less than 1% have been examined for their ingredients. An estimated of 20% of hospital admissions for liver failure come from these. I actually had one patient who required a liver transplant after using a special “tea”. In an investigation by USA Today, the industry was found to to have many criminals actually marketing products.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/19/dietary-supplements-executives-criminal-records-spiked/4114451/

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/us/spike-in-harm-to-liver-is-tied-to-dietary-aids.html?_r=1&

Focus on Alzheimer's Disease

+ Vitamin E may prevent deterioration of Alzheimers
+ DDT metabolite implicated in Alzheimers
+ Efficacy of Brain Exercises
+ Tai Chi and Alzheimers

Vitamin E
In 2005 a study came out that showed that taking excess of 400U of Vitamin E was associated with an increased risk of death. This, however, has been contradicted by recent studies, where 4000 U seemed to be safe. They also found that patients with existing Alzheimer's disease actually had a slight slow down in their disease when they took Vitamin E at 4000 Units daily. Since there do not seem to be any adverse effects, I would recommend using this in Alzheimer's patients. However there is no proof that it can be preventative, and it is probably not a god idea to use Vitamin n E for that reason.
Other vitamin and mineral supplements have been studied and do not seem to be of any benefit (more on this in a post to come soon).

DDT Metabolites
As mentioned in thee previous post, a higher level of DDT metabolites was found in Alzheimer's patients. Stay organic!

Cognitive Training
Several studies have confirmed the "use it or loose it" philosophy of cognition. The more you "exercise" your brain, the less deterioration. Now a study has shown that a 5-6 week course consisting of a total of 10 hours of training (including memory, speed of reasoning, and processing resulted in improved thinking and decreased deterioration that actually lasted 10 years AFTER the training. Unfortunately there was no effect on memory; but these subjects had significant improvement in activities of every day living.

Tai Chi
Interestingly, Tai Chi also seemed to have lasting effects on improved thought processing and activities of daily living. This relatively simple activity that even moderately physically impaired  patients can participate in is worthwhile.

In summary, use your brain, exercise and eat well. Do Tai Chi if you can, and if you have developed Alzheimer's take 4000U of vitamin E daily.

Diet and Health Continued

Three studies have recently been published in the nutritional journals that just emphasize what I have been "ranting" about in many posts.

In the first, another study confirmed that the Mediterranean diet, consisting of fruits and vegetables, olive oil and nuts and similar healthy foods was associated with a 30% lower mortality from heart attacks and strokes.

In another, a high fiber diet resulted in lower rates of heart disease. Every 7-g daily increase in total dietary fiber intake (e.g., the amount in about 1 cup of bran flakes, 1 cup of raw green peas, or 2 apples) resulted in a 10% decrease in risk; the recommendation is for at least 25gms per day.

And finally, a retrospective study showed that a metabolite of the now banned pesticide DDT has a close correlation with Alzheimer's disease. DDT was banned in 1972; not because of its affects on man, but because it was getting into the food chain and killing higher animals like eagles. This is another reason to eat organic.

I personally try and eat organic whenever possible; and also feel guilty any day without a salad or high fiber intake. And I feel great!

Back in Town!

After a wonderful trip to Patagonia and Argentina we are back in town and I have lots of stuff to post. I have also started a blog and will be sending a mass email with every posting. You will be able to opt out if you prefer just to check facebook. Your email will not be used for other purposes. Here are some shots from the southern Hemisphere.

An Interesting Article about Vaccinations and Health

I found this article quite interesting. I have never seen a complication of a common vaccination. I have, however, seen several patients who had serious complications of vaccine preventable diseases.

Before vaccines and common hygiene, children were exposed to many diseases when they were very young; often less than 6 months old. They commonly had their mother's immunity transmitted in utero and breast milk, so developed their own antibodies without major illness. A good example of this was polio, which became a serious health issue only when children under 6 months old were no longer exposed to the virus (which is present in human waste) as society developed sewers.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2014/01/growing_up_unvaccinated_a_healthy_lifestyle_couldn_t_prevent_many_childhood.html?google_editors_picks=true

Working in Weston, Florida

For anyone interested I will be available to see patients for consultations on Tuesday morning January 28 in the Weston office, located near the Weston Town Center. You can call (during business hours) at 954-349-3030 for appointments and directions!

Vitamins and Alzheimer's

Recently a study was published about the beneficial effects of Vitamin E in Alzheimer's patients. Does this mean we should all start taking Vitamin E? I would strongly say no.

First, in the recent study, 2000U of vitamin E daily did slow deterioration of motor activities (such as dressing, eating, etc) but unfortunately had no effects on cognition or thinking. As well, the patients studies were all moderate to advanced Alzheimer patients; it is unlikely treatment will be preventative.

Two other studies are worth mentioning. In the first, done in 2005, Vitamin E supplementation in normal adults was associated with an increased mortality or death rate. And in 2012, patients given anti-oxidants actually deteriorated faster than those given placebo.

Once again, a healthy diet, plenty of greens, exercise (both mental and physical) are the keys to productive and healthy aging!