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Do Vitamin
Supplements Really Reduce Infections?
"OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a daily multivitamin and mineral
supplement on infection and well-being..."
'RESULTS: A
multivitamin and mineral supplement reduced the incidence of participant-recorded infection and related absenteeism in a sample of participants
with type 2 diabetes...and a high prevalence of ...nutrient
deficiency...
"However, in the
largest subgroup (nondiabetic persons), no difference was seen between
those who received vitamins and those who received placebo 'essentially
blank pills.]"
From: Annals of
Internal Medicine, vol. 138, 2003, By: Barringer, Kirk, Santaniello,
Foley & Michielutte, U. of N. Carolina School of Med. at Carolinas Med.
Ctr., Charlotte, and Wake Forest U. School of Med., Winston-Salem, NC.
DETAILS: We see the
problem as substituting vitamin pills for foods containing vitamins and
other helpful substances. Plants for example, contain many substances to
ward off infection and invasion. Some of these work together. Plucking
out one or more substances may reduce the synergistic (complimentary
enhancement) effects of these nutrients. Also, by taking pills only, we
are not getting beneficial ingredients that are not present in
pills. Two examples of the latter are isothiocyanates in broccoli,
cabbage and cauliflower, and resveratrol in dark grapes.
Obviously there was benefit for the severely malnourished.
back
to Vitamins index

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