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 Taking supplements may cause other problems.

7/22/2015

7 Comments

 
PictureMorguefile by MGDboston
 Millions of people around the world who take vitamin D and calcium pills to prevent bone thinning may be wasting their time. Vitamin D helps build stronger bones, partly by increasing the absorption of calcium. The main source of vitamin D is a chemical reaction which occurs when the Sun’s rays are absorbed by our skin, although small amounts are found in eggs, oily fish and some breakfast cereals.

That news hits home because I've taken two large Adcal tablets every day for over twelve years, supplied on prescription funded by UK's National Health.

An article in the British Medical Journal has accused academics and researchers in international osteoporosis foundations heavily funded by supplement manufacturers of wrongly promoting the use of these supplements. This is despite evidence piling up for over ten years that shows no positive effects on osteoporosis in the elderly. The main aim of managing osteoporosis is to prevent fracture. From 2002, evidence from randomised trials began to challenge the notion that calcium or vitamin D supplements alone or in combination safely reduce fracture risk. By 2010, 14 large studies with over 1,000 participants each showed results. Nine found no benefit, two found increased fracture risk and three found reduced risk. Source: Times of India.

PictureMorgueFile by froggidonna
 Researchers point out the scant evidence of the supplements preventing fractures. Not only that, but they may cause harm through kidney complications and strokes.

The pills are thought to prevent osteoporosis, the bone-thinning condition that occurs in middle age which is particularly common in women after the menopause.

Calcium is a naturally occurring mineral which helps strengthen the bones while vitamin D is thought to help the body absorb it. But several major studies published in the last decade have found no evidence that adults taking these pills are any less likely to suffer bone fractures.

My osteoporosis was discovered when my femur shattered during a hip replacement operation. After tests on my bone density, these supplements were prescribed. Several years later, I tripped over a piece of furniture and broke my thumb joint. On another occasion, my ring finger broke when it got knocked. Chuckle. My husband moves during his dreams. He claimed a witch was trying to get into the bedroom through the picture above us and he was saving me. I raised my hand to stop his thrashing. Not funny at the time, but it makes me grin now. Must remember to keep my hands clenched.

PictureMorgueFile - by bjwebbiz
 Casting slapstick aside, researchers say most people get sufficient calcium in their diets, mainly from dairy products. Apart from that, vitamin D may not actually help our bodies absorb it. In an editorial in the BMJ Open online journal, academics from New Zealand also highlight evidence that supplements increase the risk of strokes, kidney stones and heart attacks. They say over-65s ‘should not have been recommended’ to take daily vitamin D supplements to prevent osteoporosis.





Researchers say the benefits of the pills may have been hugely overplayed by their manufacturers. 
Source: Mail Online. 

This is another case of big businesses, foundations and governments working hand in hand.
What can I say? Business reign's supreme in our modern society.

Evidence for harm also emerged, including hospital admission for gastrointestinal symptoms, kidney stones, falls, hip fracture, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The United States Preventive Services Task Force has recommended against calcium and vitamin D supplementation for primary fracture prevention in 2013.

Do you take a Calcium and Vitamin C supplement?


7 Comments
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy link
7/21/2015 07:29:28 pm

I think some people just take supplements without even thinking about if they need to or not.

Reply
Payal Agarwal link
7/21/2015 07:31:16 pm

My Vitamin D was too low and I had to take supplements. I am trying to cure it with diet now.

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Alana link
7/21/2015 08:23:50 pm

I recently completed a falls prevention class, and they discussed calcium supplements in one of the sessions. They want us getting at least 1000 mg of calcium daily. No discussion of the risks of the supplements, which I have read about enough to be concerned. Sometimes you just feel like you (we seniors in general) are between a rock and a hard place, to use a cliche.

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Roy A Ackerman, PhD, EA @ cerebrations.biz link
7/21/2015 09:15:13 pm

The word never comes to mind. Oh, sure, some pregnant women may need folic acid for their baby (that's SOME and for less than 9 months), and others- living in the northern latitudes may need a vitamin D supplement (of course, irradiated milk is a much better choice) during the two or three months of dead-winter. Other than that, you are just spending your money to fill someone else's pocket.
http://www.adjuvancy.com/wordpress/megavitamins-megadangerous/

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Tami Principe link
7/22/2015 12:17:55 am

I use to take vitamin supplements long ago. I really didn't notice any change so I stopped taking them. My body works better without them. Thank you for your informative blog!

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Shonda link
7/22/2015 05:46:59 am

It seems people just pop pills for everything these days. They have no idea the short nor longterm effects. Whether or not the pill is actually beneficial. The pharmaceutical companies have done a tremendous job pushing pills. I for one, choose to limit, severely the number of pills I take through exercise, eating and being out in nature.

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Barbara link
7/22/2015 11:08:32 am

Thank you for the links to these articles. It's so important to be informed about our health. Finding a balance between eating right, manageable exercise and supplements is certainly not one size fits all. :)

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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