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Vitamin Safety |
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Vitamin Safety |
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IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT VITAMINS ARE
HARMFUL, you may want to read this. The American Association
of Poison Control Centers, which maintains the Drugs,
however, are an entirely different matter: “Harmful
reactions to some of the most widely used medicines — from insulin to a
common antibiotic — sent more than 700,000 Americans to emergency rooms each
year, landmark government research shows.” (Associated Press, Oct 17, 2006) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305033/ VITAMIN E: ANTI-VITAMIN FERVOR or
ANTI-VITAMIN TERROR? The news media can be absolutely
relied on to trumpet any allegation that vitamins are harmful. Such is yet
again the case, as now vitamin E has been accused of actually causing deaths.
(Miller E. R., Pastor-Barriuso R., Dalal D., Riemersma R. A., Appel L. J. & Guallar E. Meta-Analysis: High-dosage vitamin E
supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Ann Intern Med, 4 January
2005. Volume 142, Issue 1) So many understandably
distressed readers have written to me about this that I thought I'd offer a
three-part analysis of the situation. PART ONE: Simply put,
this and similar vitamin-bashing articles are wrong. Their conclusions are
pre-ordained; their approach is biased; their research design is faulty. In
the present study, even the study authors admitted that "Most of the patients
in the trials were over age 60 and were not well." (Billingsley J.
Vitamin E linked to higher death rates. HealthDay Reporter, Weds Nov. 10, 2004.) The reporter adds:
"The study 'inappropriately tries to draw conclusions for the whole
population based on a combination of studies of people who were already at
grave risk with existing diseases, including cancer, heart disease,
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and kidney failure,'" according to the Council
for Responsible Nutrition, a dietary-supplement industry association. "John Hathcock, the Council's vice president for scientific and
international affairs, added, 'In reviewing the totality of evidence on
vitamin E, including all clinical trial data and several large observational
studies, CRN agrees with the Institute of Medicine in finding vitamin E
supplements safe at levels of at least up to 1,000 mg (1,600 IU) for normal,
healthy adults. This meta-analysis provides no convincing evidence to the
contrary.'" In fact, writes Bill Sardi: "The study authors concluded that 'Overall,
vitamin E supplementation did not affect all-cause mortality.' That is not
what you heard in televised news reports or in the newspapers. What you heard
was there is a 5 to 10 percent (5 to 10 in 100) increased risk of dying from
taking high-dose vitamin E supplements. . . (I)n
hard numbers the risk rose by 10 in 10,000 persons, or 1 in 1000 (about
1/10th of one percent). . . The authors of the study indicate, among the 19
studies they examined, 'Most of the trials examined targeted populations at
high risk for a chronic disease, most often coronary heart disease.' This
fact obviously skewed the results." Indeed, Sardi adds: "A University of North Carolina study of
45,748 participants, aged 50 to 75 years, found that supplement use is higher
among people who are battling chronic health conditions and the strongest
association was for cardiovascular disease with supplemental vitamin E. [Am
Journal Preventive Medicine 24:43-51, 2003]." (http://www.askbillsardi.com/sdm.asp?pg=news&specific=87) To sum it up: Older
people are much more likely to have multiple chronic illnesses. Many such
people are likely to take higher doses of vitamin E, which while a lifesaver,
is not the elixir of immortality. Sadly, older people die. People die in
spite of vitamin E, not because of it. SO WHY THE CONFUSION? As I wrote in a previous DOCTOR
YOURSELF Newsletter (http://www.doctoryourself.com/news/v4n22.txt): "Beware the
Meta-Analysis: A meta-analysis is not new research, but a review of existing
research. It is not a clinical study, but rather a statistical look at a
collection of studies. If you analyze failed studies, you will get a negative
meta-analysis. Low-dose vitamin studies are the ones that get negative
results. Most vitamin research is low-dose. So where's the surprise?" Many if not most E-supplementers mistakenly or unknowingly take synthetic
vitamin E (DL-alpha tocopherol), which is less effective (and some clinicians
think is far less effective) than the natural form. As cardiologists Wilfrid and Evan Shute discovered decades ago, the
natural "D" (dextro-, or right-handed) form of the vitamin, plus
the other natural mixed tocopherols (beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol) are
needed for best results. You cannot screw in a left-hand-thread light bulb
and expect your lamp to work. Megadosing with natural vitamin E has been
shown to be safe and effective for well over 60 years. PART TWO: WELL-PUBLICIZED VITAMIN
SCARES FEED THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY CHICKEN LITTLE was in the
medical library one day when a journal fell on her head. She read it, and it
scared her so much she trembled all over. Why? Because Chicken Little had
read of negative studies on vitamins. She was so afraid that half her
feathers fell out. "Help! Help!
Vitamins are killing us! I have to go tell the President!" So she ran in great
fright to tell the President. Along the way she met Henny
Penny. "Where are you
going, Chicken Little?" said Henny Penny. "Oh, help! Vitamins
are killing us!" said Chicken Little. "How do you
know?" said Henny Penny. "I read it with my
own eyes," said Chicken Little, "And it was on the news, and part
of it fell on my head!" "Vitamins are
killing us? This is terrible, just terrible!" said Henny
Penny. "We'd better hurry up." So they both ran away as
fast as they could. Soon they met Ducky Lucky. "Where are you
going, Chicken Little and Henny Penny?" "Vitamins are killing
us! Vitamins are killing us!" said Chicken Little and Henny Penny. "We're going to tell the
President!" "How do you know
vitamins are killing people?" said Ducky Lucky. "I read it with my
own eyes," said Chicken Little, "And heard it with my own ears on
the news, and part of it fell on my head." "Oh dear, oh
dear!" Ducky Lucky. "We'd better run!" So they all ran down the
road as fast as they could. Soon they met Goosey Loosey
walking down the roadside. "Hello there. Where
are you all going in such a hurry?" "We're running for
our lives!" said Chicken Little "Vitamins are
killing us!" said Henny Penny. "And we're running
to tell the President!" said Ducky Lucky. How do you know that
vitamins are killing people?" said Goosey Loosey. "I read it with my own
eyes," said Chicken Little, "And heard it with my own ears on the
news, and part of it fell on my head!" "Goodness!"
said Goosey Loosey. "Then I'd better run with
you." And they all ran in great
fright across a field. Before long they met Turkey Lurkey
strutting back and forth.. "Hello there,
Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, and
Goosey Loosey. Where are you all going in such a
hurry?" "Help! Help!"
said Chicken Little. "Vitamins are killing us!" "We're running for
our lives!" said Henny Penny. "And by the way, the
sky is falling!" added Ducky Lucky. "So we're running to
tell the President!" said Goosey Loosey. "How do you know the
sky is falling?" asked Turkey Lurkey. "I read it with my
own eyes," said Chicken Little, "And heard it on the news with my
own ears, and part of it fell on my head!" "Oh dear!" said
Turkey Lurkey. "I always suspected those
damned vitamins were dangerous! I'd better run with you." So they ran with all
their might, until they met Pharma Fred the Fox. "Well, well,
well," said Pharma Fred. Where are all of you
rushing off to on such a fine day?" "Help! Help!"
cried Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky,
Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey
all together. "It's not a fine day at all. Vitamins are killing us, the
sky is falling, and we're running to tell the president!" "But of course
vitamins are killing you," said Pharma Fred
the Fox. "Now all of you calm down. Here, have a Prozac." Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey,
and Turkey Lurkey each swallowed a few Prozacs, and some Valium for good measure. "Well then,"
said Pharma Fred the Fox. "How did you learn
of how dangerous those vitamins really are?" "I read it with my
own eyes," said Chicken Little, "And heard it on the news with my
own ears, and part of it fell on my head!" "I see," said Pharma Fred the Fox. "Well then, follow me, and I'll
show you right to the President." So Pharma
Fred the Fox led Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky
Lucky, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey across a field and through the woods. He led them
straight to his den, and they never saw the President. And Foxy Pharma Fred had most a delicious dinner. (With thanks and
courteous apologies to http://eleaston.com/chicken.html, an excellent language education resource where you
will find the original story.) Now look here, everyone: The sky is not falling.
Vitamins save lives. We are a nation of sick, under-nourished, and
over-medicated people. Vitamins are not the problem; they are the solution. PART THREE: You can read
more about the safety and effectiveness of vitamin E at http://www.doctoryourself.com/evitamin.htm REMEMBER: There is
not even one death per year from vitamin supplements. However, there are at
least 100,000 deaths from pharmaceutical drugs each year in the All deaths caused by
drugs and doctors may total as high as one million deaths per year. http://www.doctoryourself.com/deathmed.html Do not be buffaloed and
do not be bullied. If someone tries to scare you from taking vitamins, ask
to see the scientific papers that they base such a warning on. Assuming
that the vitamin critic actually respects you enough to honor your request
and produce such documents, here's how to spot bias in a scientific study: http://www.doctoryourself.com/antivitamin.html IF YOU ARE ASKED FOR YOUR
REASONS FOR TAKING VITAMINS, here are references that will support you: http://www.doctoryourself.com/bibliography.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_dishinger.html Scroll further down this
page for a lengthy list of physicians whose writings will back you up. IF YOU ARE TAKING
MEDICATION: It is rare that a vitamin
will negatively interact with a medication. On the other hand, it is
common for a medication to create an actual vitamin deficiency. To find out,
check in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR), which is freely available at
any library. Read up on your medication, paying special attention to any
drug-nutrient interactions. Base you decision on facts, not a person's
opinion or belief. IF YOU ARE ON
CHEMOTHERAPY: http://www.doctoryourself.com/chemo.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/riordan2.html IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED: http://www.doctoryourself.com/hospitals.html IF YOU NEED INTRAVENOUS
VITAMIN C: http://www.doctoryourself.com/strategies.html IF YOU NEED HELP
NEGOTIATING WITH YOUR DOCTOR: http://www.doctoryourself.com/naturedoc.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/fire.html IF YOU NEED HELP FINDING
A DOCTOR: http://www.doctoryourself.com/subcontractor.html PHYSICIAN AUTHORS THAT
CLEARLY STATE, "VITAMINS ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE": Here's what highly
qualified and experienced medical doctors, that have used megavitamins for
decades, have to say about the safety of vitamin megadoses: Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_factoids.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_editorial.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_cancer_2.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/cancer_hoffer.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_vitc_can.html Ewan Cameron, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/cameron.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cameron.html Robert F. Cathcart, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/cathcart_thirdface.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/titration.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cathcart.html Emannuel Cheraskin, M.D., D.M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/books_cheraskin.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cheraskin.html Frederick R. Klenner,
M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/klennerpaper.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/klenner_table.html William Kaufman, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/kaufman2.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/kaufman3.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/JOM1.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_kaufman.html Thomas Levy, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/levy.html William J. McCormick,
M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/mccormick.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/mccormick1951.html Hugh D. Riordan, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/riordan1.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_riordan.html Wilfrid Shute, M.D. and Evan Shute, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_shute.html Lendon Smith, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/smith1.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_lsmith.html Walt Stoll, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/stoll.html Carl C. Pfeiffer, M.D.,
Ph.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_pfeiffer_ed.html Hans A. Nieper, M.D.: http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_nieper.html You will likely discover
that very few vitamin naysayers "have the time" to discuss the work
of the physicians listed above. That is precisely why you have the
responsibility to read it. Be prepared. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT
TO TAKE VITAMIN A, please read this: http://www.doctoryourself.com/fatigue.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/antioxidants.html IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT
TO TAKE NIACIN OR NIACINAMIDE (Vitamin B-3), please read this: http://www.doctoryourself.com/niacin.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_cardio.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/review_hoffer_B3.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_psychosis.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/psychiatry.html IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT
TO TAKE ANY OF THE OTHER B-VITAMINS, please read this: http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_paradigm.html IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT
TO TAKE VITAMIN C, please read this: http://www.doctoryourself.com/vitaminc.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/vitaminc2.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/ortho_c.html ABOUT
"OBJECTIONS" TO VITAMIN C MEGADOSES "A lot of people go through life
trying to prove that the things that are good for them are wrong." (Ward
Cleaver, on "Leave it to Beaver") In massive doses, vitamin
C (ascorbic acid) stops a cold within hours, stops bronchitis in a day, and
stops viral pneumonia (pain, fever, cough and the lot) in two days. It is a
highly effective antihistamine, antiviral and antibiotic. It is an antitoxin
and it reduces inflammation and lowers fever. Your doctor may not believe
this, but it is not a matter of belief. It is a matter of experience. Once
you see it happen repeatedly, you know it to be true. Many people therefore
wonder, in the face of statements like these, why the medical professions
have not embraced vitamin C therapy with open and grateful arms. The reason
is this: Many studies that claimed to "test" vitamin effectiveness
were designed to disprove it. You can set up any
experiment to fail. One way to ensure failure
is to make a meaningless test. A meaningless test is assured if you make the
choice to use inappropriate administration of insufficient quantities of the
substance to be investigated. If you shoot beans at a
charging rhinoceros, you are not likely to influence the outcome. If I were
to give every homeless person I met on the street 25 cents, I could easily
prove that money will not help poverty. If a nutrition study uses less than
20,000 or 30,000 milligrams of vitamin C, it is unlikely to show any
antihistamine, antibiotic and antiviral benefit whatsoever. That is because you have
to give enough to get the job done. The public and their
doctors look to scientific researchers to test and confirm the efficacy of
any nutritional therapy. As long as such research as is done uses piddling little
doses of vitamins, doses that are invariably too small to work, megavitamin
therapy will be touted as "unproven." "As evidence of
the value of nutrients, especially vitamin C... becomes more and more evident
to the public, researchers produce a mass of
articles on minute aspects of vitamin C. I have been consulted by many
researchers who proposed bold studies of the effects of massive doses of
ascorbate. Every time the university center, the
ethics committee, the pharmacy committee, etc. deny permission for the use of
massive doses of ascorbate and render the study almost useless. Seasoned
researchers depending upon government grants do not even try to study
adequate doses. All of this results in a massive accumulation of knowledge
about very little which gives the impression that there is no more of real
importance to be learned. This accumulation of minutia hides the great
effects of ascorbate already known by some... As you read these learned
papers, you will realize that they seem to be completely unaware of the uses
of massive doses of ascorbate. One of the most amusing aspects of this
research are the speculations and research into the toxicity and other
adverse reactions of tiny doses of ascorbate when many have used for years 20
to 100 times the amounts being discussed." (from
"Delay by Intellectualization," by Robert Cathcart, M.D. http://www.orthomed.com Reprinted with permission.) Probably the main
roadblock to widespread examination and utilization of this all-too-simple
technology is the equally widespread belief that there MUST be unknown
dangers to tens of thousands of milligrams of ascorbic acid. Yet, since the
time megascorbate therapy was introduced in the
late 1940's by Fred R. Klenner, M.D. (links to his work are posted above),
and right up to today as used by physicians such as Dr. Cathcart, there has
been a surprisingly safe track record and an even more surprisingly effective
track record to follow. Several
mistakenly-believed "side effects" of vitamin C have been found to
be completely mythical. According to a NIH report published in the Journal
of the American Medical Association (April 21, 1999), NONE of the
following problems are caused by taking "too much vitamin C": Allegations of Hypoglycemia Allegations of Rebound
scurvy Allegations of
Infertility Allegations of
Destruction of vitamin B-12 Safety and effectiveness
have always been and should always be the benchmark for any therapeutic
program. When one considers that even the AMA admits to over 100,000
Americans dying annually from routine administration of prescription drugs, I
think we need to consider anew the merits of truly large doses of vitamin C. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT
TO TAKE VITAMIN D, please read this: http://www.doctoryourself.com/werbach.html IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD NOT
TO TAKE VITAMIN E, please read this: http://www.doctoryourself.com/estory.htm http://www.doctoryourself.com/vitamin_e.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/shute_protocol.html http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_shute.html "There is a
principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all
argument, and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance. That
principle is condemnation without investigation." (Herbert Spencer) Copyright 2008, 2004
and prior years by Andrew W. Saul. Andrew Saul is the author
of the books FIRE YOUR DOCTOR! How to be Independently
Healthy (reader reviews at http://www.doctoryourself.com/review.html
) and DOCTOR YOURSELF: Natural Healing
that Works. (reviewed at http://www.doctoryourself.com/saulbooks.html
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AN IMPORTANT NOTE: This
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individual's acceptance of some risk, and no one should assume
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physician. Consult your doctor before making any health decision. Neither the author nor the
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