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Vitamin Pills 'Increase Risk Of Early Death'
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 4-16-2008 | Kate Devlin

Posted on 04/15/2008 8:34:19 PM PDT by blam

Vitamin pills 'increase risk of early death'

By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
Last Updated: 12:01am BST 16/04/2008

Popular vitamin supplements taken by millions of people in the hope of improving their health may do no good and could increase the risk of a premature death, researchers report today.

They warn healthy people who take antioxidant supplements, including vitamins A and E, to try to keep diseases such as cancer at bay that they are interfering with their natural body defences and may be increasing their risk of an early death by up to 16 per cent.

Antioxidants, including vitamins A, E, and C are said to mop up free radicals, which cause disease

Researchers at Copenhagen University carried out a review of 67 studies on 230,000 healthy people and found "no convincing evidence" that any of the antioxidants helped to prolong life expectancy. But some "increased mortality".

About 12 million Britons supplement their diets with vitamins and the industry is worth £330 million. But little research has been done on the long-term health implications.

The Department of Health said yesterday that people should try to get the vitamins they need by eating a balanced diet and advised care in taking large doses of supplements.

A spokesman said: "There is a need to exercise caution in the use of high doses of purified supplements of vitamins, including antioxidant vitamins, and minerals. Their impact on long-term health may not have been fully established and they cannot be assumed to be without risk.

"Anyone concerned about their diet should speak to their doctor or dietitian."

Antioxidants, including vitamins A, E, C and beta-carotene and selenium, are said to mop up compounds, called free radicals, which cause disease. It is this action that researchers believe may cause problems with the defence system.

The Danish research, released by the influential Cochrane Library, applied only to synthetic supplements and not to vitamins that occur naturally in vegetables and fruit.

It found that vitamin A supplements increased the risk of death in healthy people by 16 per cent. Taking beta-carotene was linked to a 7 per cent increased risk, while regular users of vitamin E supplements increased the risk of an early death by four per cent.

Although the review found no significant detrimental effect caused by vitamin C, it found no evidence that it helped ward off disease. Millions take it in the hope of avoiding a common cold.

Goran Bjelakovic, who led the review, said: "We could find no evidence to support taking antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of dying earlier in healthy people or patients with various diseases.

"If anything, people in trial groups given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality."

But Patrick Holford, a nutritionist who has formulated supplements for the company Biocare, said: "Antioxidants are not meant to be magic bullets and should not be expected to undo a lifetime of unhealthy habits.

"When used properly, in combination with a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health."

A spokesman for the Health Supplements Information Service said: "People should get all the vitamins and minerals they need from their diet, but for the millions who are not able to do that, vitamins can be a useful supplement and they should not stop taking them."

However, Catherine Collins, of the British Dietetic Association, said: "This study is deeply worrying and shows that there should be more regulation for vitamins and minerals.

"The public can buy vitamins as easily as sweets. They should be treated in the same way as paracetamol with maximum limits on the dosage."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: antioxidants; codex; death; early; nutrition; pills; socializedmedicine; vitamin; vitamins
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
For Protestants, we understand God's word tells us we are to test the spirits and rightly divide the truth so that we can give anyone a reason for the hope that is within us.

It seems to me that you opened your mouth and swallowed the ICR whole.

421 posted on 04/24/2008 11:28:45 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: AmericaUnited
God wants men not to sin, BUT THEY DO.

Well, there is that.

LOL

Or will we next be told that God foreordains the sins of the reprobate?

422 posted on 04/24/2008 11:30:00 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: Petronski
Cauvin attempted to prove his new gospel from God's word, but did not succeed.

If and when you get around to reading the Institutes to see what Calvin actually wrote and why, please ping me so we can discuss our differences.

Until then, all you have is a chip on your shoulder and no discernible support for your beliefs.

423 posted on 04/24/2008 11:33:16 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: AmericaUnited
Men sin because it is their fallen nature to sin.

Who created human nature?

424 posted on 04/24/2008 11:34:51 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
Until then, all you have is a chip on your shoulder and no discernible support for your beliefs.

Please do not violate the rules by making this personal.

425 posted on 04/24/2008 11:35:24 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: Petronski
I haven't found any part of the Institutes that is not supported and affirmed in Scripture.

If and when I do, I'll let you know.

426 posted on 04/24/2008 11:36:00 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
If and when you get around to reading the Institutes to see what Calvin actually wrote and why, please ping me so we can discuss our differences.

I have not read Dianetics either, but I know that Scientology is false.

I have not read the book of Mormon, but I know that Mormonism is false.

427 posted on 04/24/2008 11:37:54 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
I haven't found any part of the Institutes that is not supported and affirmed in Scripture.

This is not proof there are no such parts, only that you cannot find them.

428 posted on 04/24/2008 11:44:19 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: AmericaUnited; Dr. Eckleburg

Have you ever actually read Scripture?


429 posted on 04/24/2008 11:44:56 AM PDT by Gamecock ("I find your lack of faith-disturbing" Darth Vader)
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To: Gamecock

Have you ever actually read Scripture?


430 posted on 04/24/2008 11:45:49 AM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg

You’ve really jumped the shark here by claiming that God’s will is for men to sin.

Sorry, that is just so bizarre and flat out contradicts about 10,000 scripture verses. It really shows how much this theology has warped your thinking.


431 posted on 04/24/2008 11:46:11 AM PDT by AmericaUnited
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To: Petronski; Dr. Eckleburg; HarleyD

That’s funny!

A Catholic asking a Calvinist such.


432 posted on 04/24/2008 11:49:46 AM PDT by Gamecock ("I find your lack of faith-disturbing" Darth Vader)
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To: AmericaUnited; Dr. Eckleburg

This is so theology 101. Dr. E did not claim any such thing. God has provided a way for fallen mankind not to sin, and that is the story of Christianity. Circular arguments are tiring, which is why now I have to go wash another dog


433 posted on 04/24/2008 11:53:05 AM PDT by 1000 silverlings (Everything that deceives also enchants: Plato)
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To: blam

“However, Catherine Collins, of the British Dietetic Association, said: “This study is deeply worrying and shows that there should be more regulation for vitamins and minerals.

“The public can buy vitamins as easily as sweets. They should be treated in the same way as paracetamol with maximum limits on the dosage.”

I just called in my prescription for bottled water.


434 posted on 04/24/2008 12:00:17 PM PDT by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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To: Petronski; AmericaUnited; 1000 silverlings; HarleyD; blue-duncan
Men sin all on their own, and yet everything that transpires in life is by the will and design of God alone.

That's what the word of God tells us. Ultimately, this apparent paradox is a mystery to men, but that doesn't mean it's not true or that God doesn't want us to understand this reality as much as possible.

"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." -- 1 Peter 2:7-8


"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Or read Arthur Pink's tremendous book, "The Sovereignty of God."

CHAPTER 5
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN REPROBATION

You're missing a profoundly comforting truth God provides us with in His holy word -- that He has loved His family from before the foundation of the world and that they belong to Him not because they loved Him, but because He loved them first.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." -- John 6:37-40


435 posted on 04/24/2008 12:00:36 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Petronski
I have not read Dianetics either, but I know that Scientology is false. I have not read the book of Mormon, but I know that Mormonism is false.

Interesting. Well, I know for a fact Dianetics and the book of Mormon are false because I have read them and found out for myself exactly where they err.

If you haven't read them, how and why do you think they are false?

436 posted on 04/24/2008 12:03:30 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: 1000 silverlings

Yes please go wash some dogs, since you don’t seem to be able to comment on what was actually posted.


437 posted on 04/24/2008 12:04:47 PM PDT by AmericaUnited
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To: Petronski
One quote from Paul does not the entirety of Scripture make.

And that really is "the problem" with most of these false doctrines. Their adherents build these huge, edifices on a few misinterpreted verses, and doggedly ignore the whole of scripture.

438 posted on 04/24/2008 12:07:32 PM PDT by AmericaUnited
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To: Gamecock

Hi, GC. Meant to ping you to Pink, too.


439 posted on 04/24/2008 12:11:33 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Gamecock

I note that you did not answer the question, and instead took some kind of swipe at Catholics.


440 posted on 04/24/2008 12:12:09 PM PDT by Petronski (When there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth, voting for Hillary.)
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