Dietary supplements improves health

Media Release
28 October 2009

Sensible use of dietary supplements improves health

The use of dietary supplements in recommended amounts has been proven to assist people maintain good health by providing nutrients that modern diets may lack.

Recent media reports have suggested that taking vitamins can endanger your health and have even compared it with the dangers of passive smoking.

“These reports are based on a widely discredited study from the Cochrane Collaboration,” says Dr Shaun Holt medical researcher and general practitioner. “Upon release of the study last year, it was discovered that researchers appeared to select papers and undertake analyses in order to demonstrate a predetermined conclusion.”

TV3’s Inside New Zealand documentary (screening 28/10) cites incidences of subjects who go ‘cold turkey’ by stopping their regular dose of vitamin supplements and the apparent detrimental effects which follow.

“There is absolutely no scientific methodology associated with asking eight individuals to suspend their use of supplements for six weeks and interviewing them about how they feel,” continues Dr Holt.

“Additionally, there is a growing body of international evidence which continually proves the efficacy of dietary supplements such as Omega 3 fish oil, selenium, which is notably low in New Zealand soil and recognised for its antioxidant properties, and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements for people who suffer from arthritis or joint pain.

Omega 3 supplements are in fact recommended by the American Heart Association to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease which is one of New Zealand’s most prolific killers,” says Dr Holt.

Natural Products New Zealand, the industry body which represents supplement manufacturers and retailers in New Zealand says that reasonable use of supplements has no detrimental effects.

“People who take supplements should be wary of sensationalist media reports which attempt to undermine the advice of health care professionals,” says Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of Natural Products New Zealand.

“Because not everyone gets the minerals and vitamins they need from their diet, we advocate using supplements according to their recommended dosage – not at all a dangerous practice and in no way increasing the risk of mortality,” says Ms Palmer. “However, taking excessive amounts of any substance, whether it is a prescription-controlled drug or a vitamin supplement inevitably carries with it a degree of risk, so we encourage people to read all labels thoroughly,” she says.

“Although most major natural health brands in New Zealand manufacture according to stringent international regulatory standards, NPNZ recognises that a regulated environment in New Zealand would provide further assurance for people who enjoy the health benefits provided by natural supplements. We are continuing to work constructively with the government towards this goal,” says Ms Palmer.

ENDS

© Scoop Media