Monday, May 5, 2008

Sally Squires's April 29 article "Vitamins Fare Poorly in Analysis" reported that a new analysis found that taking some antioxidant supplements "may increase mortality." But analyses such as the Cochrane Collaboration's are prone to bias in terms of which studies they include. Such analyses are inappropriate tools for investigating the role of short-term antioxidant supplements and overall mortality.

Because of variation in individual genetics, lifestyle and disease status, antioxidant supplements work very differently in different people. For instance, a smoker who takes a beta-carotene supplement will increase his risk of developing cancer, while someone who never smoked is likely to benefit from a beta-carotene supplementation. The analysis discounts these subtle variations, leading to overall conclusions that aren't necessarily true for individuals.

The bottom line: Don't stop taking your vitamins. But if you want to get the best health benefits from vitamin supplements, consult a naturopathic physician or other medical expert with expertise in natural health and supplements to determine what will work best for you.

LISE ALSCHULER

President

American Association

of Naturopathic Physicians

Washington