The ABCs of Truth about Vitamins

Vitamin A
A 2002 Harvard study of more than 72,000 nurses showed
that those who consumed high levels of vitamin A from foods,
multivitamins and supplements had a 48 percent greater risk for hip fracture
than nurses who had the lowest intake of vitamin A. High intake of vitamin A has also been associated with a higher risk of
birth defects.
Vitamin B
Last week, two studies presented to the American
College of Cardiology showed that while the vitamin B can lower
homocysteine levels, taking the vitamin does not lower risk for heart attack.
Vitamin C
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews recently looked at the
clinical-trial evidence for vitamin C supplements in treating the
common cold. Among 23 studies, there was no overall benefit to using
vitamin C to prevent colds.
All of the grim news above comes from a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, which points out that 70 percent of American households regularly buy vitamins, and that last year, all of that regular buying added up to more than $7 billion. That’s a lot of money, and the journal has a lot of discouraging news. Here’s some more: Beta carotene, which was once seen as a cancer fighter, now appears to promote
lung cancer in a study of former smokers. And more: A study of whether vitamin E improved heart health showed
higher rates of congestive heart failure among vitamin users. Read more in the WSJ.