“LESS IS MORE,” SAYS THE IOWA WOMEN’S HEALTH STUDY
Although dietary supplements are commonly taken to prevent chronic disease, the long-term health consequences of many compounds are unknown.
Jaakko Mursu, PhD; Kim Robien, PhD; Lisa J. Harnack, DrPH, MPH;Kyong Park, PhD, David R. Jacobs Jr, PhD conducted the Iowa Women’s Heath Study. The study evaluated vitamin and mineral supplements in relation to total mortality in 38,772 older women; mean age was 61.6 years at baseline in 1986. Supplement use was self-reported in 1986, 1997, and 2004. Through December 31, 2008, a total of 15,594 deaths (40.2%) were identified through the State Health Registry of Iowa and the National Death Index.
Their conclusion was that in older women, several commonly used dietary vitamin and mineral supplements may be associated with increased total mortality risk. This association is strongest with supplemental iron. In contrast to the findings of many studies, calcium is associated with decreased risk.
I encourage my clients to take dietary supplements sparing based on individual need. When I do I generally rely on supplements based on whole food. I prefer the concentrated advanced herbal concentrates called gemmotherapy. Gemmos contain minute amounts of concentrated nutrients as they are found to naturally occur in plants. While the amount may seem small, it is the right amount to correct deficiencies at the cellular level with out toxicity found in supplements or even adult herb products. I support weight management using metabolic balance ®, a food based nutrition program.
SOURCE
Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women, Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 171, no. 18, Oct. 10, 2011.
Copyright © 2011 – , Myra Nissen.
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This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, she regularly publishes articles with home care tips for health and well-being in several venues. Visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.