Millions of people taking vitamin supplements will today be urged to exercise caution by the Department of Health over fears that in some cases they may do more harm than good.

“Most people are able to meet their nutritional needs by eating a balanced, varied diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables, and therefore do not need to take dietary supplements,” a spokesperson said last night.

The advice, following a large review of scientific evidence first published last year and reported in The Times, comes as scientists appeal for greater regulation of vitamin supplements.

“There is a need to exercise caution in the use of high doses of purified supplements of vitamins, including antioxidant vitamins, and minerals, as their impact on long term health may not have been fully established and they cannot be assumed to be without risk,” she said.

The review of 67 studies involving more than 230,000 people is republished today by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organisation for evidence-based research. The review found no evidence that the nutrition supplements extend life. On the contrary, vitamins A and E and beta carotene appear to slightly increase premature death rates among those taking them. Vitamin C and selenium have no effect.

When the different antioxidants were assessed separately, trials with a low risk of bias were included and selenium excluded, vitamin A was linked to a 16 per cent increased risk of dying prematurely, beta-carotene to a 7 per cent increased risk and vitamin E to a 4 per cent increased risk. However, there was no significant detrimental effect caused by vitamin C.

“We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention,” the authors said. “Beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E given singly or combined with other antioxidant supplements significantly increase mortality.

“There is no evidence that vitamin C may increase longevity. We lack evidence to refute a potential negative effect of vitamin C on survival. Selenium tended to reduce mortality but only when high-bias risk trials were considered. Accordingly, we need more research on vitamin C and selenium.”

The complete article can be found at:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3754205.ece

Some other studies have been done on the health impacts of synthetic vitamins:

http://www.thediagnosticclinic.com/dangers%20of%20synthetic%20vitamin%20and%20mineral%20supplements.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/s1860137.htm

A NOTE FROM NATURES LOGIC

Nature’s Logic is the only line of all natural pet food that uses whole foods to derive all vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for all categories of products. Nature’s Logic contains no added synthetic taurine or chemically synthesized vitamins or minerals. The taurine, vitamins, and minerals in all Nature’s Logic products come from the 100% all natural food ingredients making up the formulations.