Category: Vitamins in general

Alcohol Causes Cancer, Vitamin B Prevents It

Admin

June 28, 2004

Studies show that the risk of intestinal cancer is increased by 30% in people who have more than 2 drinks a day. However, this risk seems to be completely neutralized by vitamin B9, aka. folic acid.

Cancer of the colon is among the most frequent kind of cancer and furthermore among the deadliest. Several studies have in later years shown that the risk of colon cancer is increased by alcohol intake. This is once again outlined in the partial result of a population study in which five countries participate involving approx. 490,000 men and women.

The recently published results show that the risk of intestinal cancer is increased by approx. 30% in people who have more than two drinks a day; without regard to the drink being wine, beer, or any other kind of alcohol. However, this risk seems to be completely neutralized by the B vitamin folic acid.

A connection between alcohol and breast cancer in women has also been established but also in this case, folic acid seems to have a protective effect.

The same thing applies for ovarian cancer. In March, a Swedish study of this subject was published: Among more than 66,000 women, the incidence of ovarian cancer was reduced by more than 75% in the ones who were given the most folic acid – regardless of them having more than two drinks a day.

Folic acid is a vitamin B which can be found in large amounts in greens and in liver. It is mostly known for its ability to prevent myelomeningocele in newborns – the most common of all serious congenital malformations.

The incidence of myelomeningocele has decreased in the USA after obligatory enrichment of flour with this vitamin was introduced in 1996. Folic acid deficiency is regarded as a very common suffering. A daily supplement of 400 mcg. is considered an appropriate amount for preventive measures.

By: Vitality Council

 

References:
1. Larsson SC, Giovannucci E, Wolk A. Dietary folate intake and incidence of ovarian cancer: The Swedish Mammography Cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Mar 3;96(5):396-402.
2. Eunyoung Cho et al. Alcohol Intake and Colorectal Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of 8 Cohort Studies. Annals of Internal Medicine 2004;140:603-613.
3. Giovannucci E et al. Alcohol, low-methionine-low-folate diets, and risk of colon cancer in men. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995 Feb 15;87(4):265-73.

jncicancerspectrum.oupjournals.org
www.annals.org
www.iom.dk

You are Safe to Eat Fruit and Vegetables. No Basis for Over-interpretating scientific study

Admin

December 23, 2003

An observational study of 400 women having breast cancer compared with 400 women not having breast cancer has shown, that there is increased risk of Vitamin C intake by eating fruit and vegetables compared with Vitamin C intake by taking dietary supplements.

When we think about it a little bit, we know that it is healthy to eat fruit and vegetables, and so in the name of decency you have to check out such a study carefully.

The authors themselves write quite sensibly that its result is contrary to previous scientific studies about this and that it needs to be investigated further. – Fair enough.

By: Vitality Council

References:
1. Intake of vitamins A, C and E from diet and supplements and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Cancer Causes and Control 2003;14:695-704. Oct. 2003.
2. Fish intake is positively associated with breast cancer incidence rate. J. Nutrition 2003;133:3664-3669. Nov. 2003.
3. Fruits and vegetable intake differentially affects estrogen receptor negative and positive breast cancer incidence rates. J. Nutrition 2003;133:2342-2347. July 2003.

www.cancer.dk
www.iom.dk

Multivitamins May Reduce HIV Death Rate

Claus Hancke

December 12, 2003

A placebo controlled study made by scientists at the The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine shows that a daily supplement of vitamins and minerals can reduce the HIV death rate. According to the scientists this may have great relevance for the treatment of HIV patients in countries which do not have access to optimal medical therapy.

The number of HIV infected persons continues to rise at a lightning speed. Worldwide, there are almost 5 million that are infected with HIV every year. In Denmark, 250-300 people are diagnosed with HIV every year, and the number is increasing. According to the AIDS Fund, there are approximately 4,500 HIV infected in Denmark, of which only 1,500 are in medical treatment.

In the latest issue of the journal AIDS, the results of a new startling study are published. 481 HIV-infected men and women participated in the study. All participants were from Thailand and none were receiving medical treatment for HIV.

The participants were divided into two groups, one of which received a placebo (cheat pill) and the other a special supplement of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The participants were followed for a total of 48 weeks, with follow-up every 12 weeks.

After 48 weeks of treatment, the results showed a significantly lower mortality in the group that received the active treatment.

“This is the first time that reduced mortality has been demonstrated by giving something as simple and cheap as multivitamins/minerals to HIV patients. It is a very strong and thought-provoking result”, says the chairman of the Vitality Council, medical specialist Dr. Claus Hancke.

Traditional medical treatment costs approx. 100,000 DK kr. per year for each patient. The treatment extends the HIV-infected person’s life on average by 6-7 years.

“Other studies have shown that multivitamins/minerals can increase the body’s resistance, and now it turns out that it also provides better survival. Further documentation needs to be on the table, but already now patient associations such as HIV-Danmark should inform their members about the result“, says Claus Hancke.

By: Vitality Council

Reference:
AIDS (17 (17):2461-2469).

www.hivinfo.dk
www.iom.dk

Alcohol Counteracts the Effect of Folic Acid in Women

Claus Hancke

October 29, 2003

Epidemiologic study shows folic acid deficiency in women with a daily alcohol consumption of 2-3 drinks and thereby increased risk of chronic joint disease, coronary disease (blood clots) and breast cancer.

Women who drink 2-3 glasses of red wine or more daily have an increased risk of developing chronic joint disorders, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer due to lack of folic acid.

A study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston shows that daily alcohol consumption not only reduces the effects of folic acid, but also significantly increases the risk of disease.

The researchers, who have just published the study in an article in the American Journal of Epidemiology, have followed approx. 83,000 women aged between 34 and 59 over a period of 16 years.

The researchers found the highest risk of getting cardiovascular disease and breast cancer in women who received only a small amount of folic acid – 180 micrograms – daily, and who also had a high alcohol consumption of 30 grams of alcohol a day or 2.5  Danish unit of alcohol. The greatest risk was found in women under 60 years of age.

Conversely, women who did not drink alcohol and received a lot of folic acid – 400-599 micrograms daily – had the lowest risk of developing the same diseases.

Against this background the Vitality Council comes with a call for women who drink more than 2-3 units of alcohol a day or 17-18 units of alcohol a week. Partly to reduce the intake of alcohol in accordance with the Danish Health and Medicines Authority’s recommendations and partly to take an extra supplement of folic acid:

“To prevent the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, women with a daily alcohol consumption should consider taking a folic acid supplement,” says Vitality Council Chairman, Specialist in general medicine, Claus Hancke.

“Thus, we do not want to encourage women to continue drinking. As the risk is significantly increased and the statistics show that about 15 percent or every sixth woman in the age group drinks more than the National Board of Health’s recommended maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week, one should take this seriously” the chairman of the Vitality Council points out.

As it is difficult to get enough folic acid through the diet, it is recommended to take a vitamin pill or a multivitamin tablet with folic acid. In the diet, especially vegetables like broccoli and kale are rich in folic acid.

The Danish National Board of Health already recommends pregnant women take approx. 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent spina bifida in children.

By. Vitality Council

Reference:
American Journal of Epedemiology 2003;158:760-771.

aje.oupjournals.org
www.iom.dk

Vitamin C and E Protects Children Against Arteriosclerosis

Per Larsen

September 1, 2003

Children and young people with increased cholesterol levels may reduce the risk of developing arteriosclerosis if they take a daily supplement of Vitamin C and E. This is the conclusion of a study published in Circulation, published by the American Heart Association.

15 children and young people of the age of 9 to 20 years were part of this study. Half of the children took a daily 500mg Vitamin C and 400i.e. (international units) Vitamin E supplement. The rest of the children took placebo. After 6 weeks the groups were switched.

After 6 weeks of active treatment the results showed a significant betterment of the inner wall of the artery. Vitamins alone do not reduce increased cholesterol, but the vitamins seem to be able to protect the blood vessels against sclerosis and thereby secure that the arteries remain their elasticity.

“This is the first time anyone has studied how antioxidants like Vitamin C and E can better circulatory function,” says the chairman of the Vitality Council, specialist doctor in general medicine, Claus Hancke.

“Even if it is a small study, the results are important for children with increased cholesterol. If they alternatively must have cholesterol lowering medicine for several years, the risk of serious side effects will be pretty high. It is therefore wise to give priority to diet changes and extra Vitamin C and E supplements as a first choice in therapy,” Claus Hancke says.

The American study also involved diet recommendations, but they did not follow those recommendations. Among other things the children got too much animal fat and too little fruit and vegetables. Therefore the doctors chose to combine the diet changes with Vitamin C and E supplementation.

The study is carried out at the University of California, under the supervision of Marguerite Engler, M.D.

By: Per Tork Larsen, DSOM

Reference:
Circulation 2003;108:802

www.circulationaha.org
www.amhrt.org/presenter.jhtml

New Study Shows that Multivitamins May Reduce the Risk of Heart Attack

Per Larsen

August 1, 2003

People taking low dose multivitamins may reduce the risk of getting heart attacks, say Swedish researchers.

There has been much debate about, whether antioxidants like Vitamins C and E may protect against coronary diseases, as several scientific studies have not yet supported this theory.

But scientific results from the Stockholm Heart Epidemiological Programme (SHEEP) has shown, that both Swedish men and women who took multivitamins had a significant lower risk of getting blood clots in the heart than those who did not take supplements, no matter which diets they were on.

The team of the Swedish Karolinska Institute in Stockholm studied a group of Swedish people between 45 and 70 years old from an area, where the intake of fruit and vegetables is relatively low, and where food products are not enriched with folic acid.

Nearly 1,300 people (910 men and 386 women) earlier having experienced a heart attack were compared (for sex, age and local hospital area) with a control group consisting of 1,685 people (1143 men and 542 women).

According to the scientists in this months’ Journal of Nutrition, 57% of the women and 35% of the men in the control group took supplements; the corresponding cases of heart attacks were 42% and 27%. 80% of these supplements were multivitamin tablets.

After an adjustment for risk factors of heart and coronary disease, the risk of heart attacks were 21% lower for those men taking supplements, compared to the ones who did not. For the women the risk was reduced with 33%.

This observation seems to exclude the theory that vitamins found in fruit and vegetables are more effective than through intake of supplements.

By: Per Tork Larsen, DSOM

Reference:
Journal of Nutrition 133:2650-2654, August 2003.

www.cabi-publishing.org/Journals.asp
www.iom.dk

Vitamin C Soothes Pain from Osteoarthritis in 14 days

Admin

July 6, 2003

Vitamin C soothes pain from osteoarthritis in 14 days. That is the conclusion of a Danish scientific study recently published in the Danish medical magazine, Ugeskrift for Laeger.

133 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip joint and knee joint were treated with one gram of vitamin C or placebo twice daily for 14 days. In those who got vitamin C there was clearly better pain relief than in the other group.

The study was made because many people have said that vitamin C has helped with their osteoarthritis.

“Our study, which have been carried out to the highest scientific standard, have shown that vitamin C reduces the pain of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint within 14 days,” says Niels Hertz, specialist in general medicine.

“This effect was statistically exceptionally safe and led to very clear improvements in the functioning of those with arthritis. The magnitude of the effect is equivalent to half what you normally find with arthritis pills (NSAIDs), but unlike these, the treatment with vitamin C is free of side effects and can be tolerated indefinitely.

The finding is extra interesting because other studies have shown that people with arthritis who get a lot of vitamin C do not worsen as much over time as those who get ordinary Danish average amounts. This was found a few years ago in the famous American Framingham study, a result that attracted attention at the time.

In other words, one can imagine that vitamin C not only relieves the pain of osteoarthritis, but also counteracts aggravation of arthritis!

There are many examples of this happening. A retired nurse, I know, meant for approx. 10 years ago that she could no longer avoid a hip operation. She was in so much pain. Then she started taking vitamin C and today she is still not operated on. I see her regularly on the street, without a cane and in a good mood.

Every twentieth Dane receives less than 30 mg of vitamin C a day, and very few come close to the American averages from Framingham. This is highly unfortunate for public health.

Several of the world’s leading experts in vitamin C believe that the recommended daily allowances (RDA) should be significantly increased.

Vitamin C is, in my opinion, a fantastically exciting vitamin, which most likely has several other positive surprises in it. We are far from finished exploring it, ”concludes Niels Hertz.

By: Vitality Council

Reference:
Jensen, Niels H.P. Hertz, Ugeskr Laeger 2003;165:2563-6.

www.dadlnet.dk
www.iom.dk

Vitamin C Gives Less Pain Suffering from Arthrosis in Hip and Knee Joint

Admin

June 16, 2003

This is the conclusion of a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled, cross-over multi praxis study with 133 people with X-ray verified symptomatic arthrosis in hip and knee joint.

All in all 94 knee joints and 39 hip joints were evaluated. The participants were treated with one gram of calcium ascorbate or placebo two times daily for 14 days.

A significantly better pain relief were found in the persons having arthrosis in the hip or knee joints taking calcium the ascorbate treatment than in those taking placebo.

The study was started, because many users of Vitamin C have experienced that calcium ascorbate has reduced their arthrosis pain.

Arthrosis is one of the most common reasons for disability in hips and knees. Approximately 6% of the 65 year olds Danes are suffering from arthrosis in one or two hip joints, which may lead to more than 4,000 yearly operations in total.

The pain relief effect of Vitamin C in arthrosis is explained by lessened oxidative stress as followed by the antioxidant function of the Vitamin C.

By: Per Tork Larsen, MD

Reference:
Jensen, Niels H.P. Hertz, Ugeskr Laeger 2003;165:2563-6.

www.dadlnet.dk
www.iom.dk

Hesitation in the Health Sector costs lives!

Claus Hancke

June 2, 2003

According to the British Medical Journal thousands of deaths in Denmark are due to the authorities not  being willing to take the available documentation on folic acid  into account.

350,000 deaths due to cardiovascular disease could have been avoided the last ten years if the British authorities had used the available knowledge about the effect of folic acid, according to the British Medical Journal who refers from a London conference (BMJ 2003; 326: 1054).

Here, Professor Godfrey Oakley said, among other things:
“By not requiring mandatory addition of folic acid to the flour, the authorities have committed a fatal health policy error.” Oakley has the support of a number of colleagues, and cardiologist David Wald recommends, for example, that you take a dietary supplement of 800 µg of folic acid a day until the authorities do something about it.

_____________________________________

By: Vitality Council.

 

References:
BMJ 2003;326:1054.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 2002;167:241-5.

bmj.bmjjournals.com
www.cmaj.ca
www.iom.dk

Inertia on folic acid has caused thousands of unnecessary deaths

Admin

May 17, 2003

As many as 350,000 deaths could have been prevented over the last decade if the UK government had acted on the compelling evidence for the benefits of folic acid, a conference was told last week. Had flour been fortified with folic acid when the evidence regarding neural tube defects was published, thousands of people would not have died from coronary heart disease.

Godfrey Oakley, visiting professor at the department of epidemiology at the Rollin School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, said: “The failure to require mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid is public health malpractice.” He was speaking at a conference in London organised by Dr Jean-Pierre Lin, consultant paediatric neurologist responsible for the spina bifida services at Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospitals on behalf of the charity the Little Foundation and MacKeith meetings (a product of publishers MacKeith Press).

Recent evidence shows not only the benefits of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects but that it is protective against heart disease, strokes, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Folic acid lowers concentrations of homocysteine, an amino acid that for about 15 years has been believed to be associated with heart attacks and strokes.

Dr David Wald, a cardiologist at Southampton General Hospital, said: “Until public health agencies fortify our diet with sufficient folic acid, people should consider taking an 800 µg supplement each day, especially if they have coronary heart disease.”

The Medical Research Council vitamin study was published in 1991 and gave compelling evidence that taking folic acid prevents up to three quarters of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida (Lancet 1991;338:132-7). Despite the publicity that the report generated, the incidence of neural tube defects has not declined in the United Kingdom over the last decade, despite quite a steep decline between 1970 and 1992.

The government recommends that women who are trying to conceive take 400 µg of folic acid a day. But experts point out that about half of pregnancies are unplanned, meaning that many women start taking the vitamin only once they find out they are pregnant or not at all. Specialists say that the optimal time for women to take the vitamin is from stopping contraception to 12 weeks after conception.

Public health doctors and charities such as the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus have called on the UK government many times to fortify flour with folic acid. They point out that 39 countries around the world, including the United States and Canada, now either fortify flour or have agreed to do so, and that the rate of neural tube defects has fallen in these countries. In Nova Scotia, where fortification was implemented in 1998, the incidence fell from 2.58 per thousand people in 1991-7 to 1.17 per thousand people in 1998-2000 (Canadian Medical Association Journal 2002;167:241-5).

No country in the European Union, however, has yet decided to fortify flour. The folic acid working group of the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies is soon to publish a report, concluding that most women in Europe do not take folic acid around the time of conception, despite education programmes in some countries encouraging them to do so.

The group collated data from 17 countries showing that the overall incidence of neural tube defects in Europe has not declined over the 1990s. Even women who do take folic acid often do not start until after conception. The report will recommend that EU countries adopt a policy of fortifying flour with folic acid.

If flour were fortified at the recommended level on a worldwide scale 100 000 pregnancies resulting in neural tube defect would be prevented each year, according to Professor Nick Wald, of the St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

He said, “There is no evidence or reason to regard fortification at any of the doses proposed as a risk to health, and there is compelling evidence that failure to fortify causes considerable harm.”

The meeting was held the day before the UK’s Food Standards Agency issued a report warning people against taking too many vitamin supplements. The Birth Defects Foundation issued a press release urging women to keep taking folic acid, after receiving a flood of calls to its telephone.

By: Anna Ellis,

BMJ. 2003;326(7398):1054.