New study debunks health benefits theory.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: Taking supplementary vitamin tablets is widely considered the best way of fighting diseases and some people take them as a precaution for many diseases without even consulting a doctor. But, a new study has blamed excessive use of vitamins as one of the reasons for developing life threatening heart diseases and cancers.
Millions of healthy adults across the globe have been taking supplementary vitamins thinking that it would benefit in boosting their health. The new study is a wakeup call as what people thought would make them healthier and stronger could be life threatening pills, capable of taking life, if used excessively.
The shocking revelation about the side effects of using vitamin tablets came under light after Dr. Tim Byers, one of the world’s best oncologists, examined research papers spanning 30 years. He examined cases of cancer patients who consumed vitamin tablets – vitamin E, beta-carotene and folic acid, which are the three widely supplementary vitamins.
“We are not sure why this is happening but evidence shows that people who take more dietary supplements than needed tend to have a higher risk of developing cancer,” said Dr. Byers.
He added, “When we first tested dietary supplements in animal models we found that the results were promising. Eventually we were able to move on to humans. We studied thousands of patients for 10 years who were taking dietary supplements and placebos. We found that the supplements were actually not beneficial for their health. In fact, some people actually got more cancer while on the vitamins.”
It is very common that doctors prescribe Folic acid as a supplement for pregnant women. This is to help prevent birth defects and spina bifida, a condition where a baby is in the womb and the spinal column does not close all of the way. Byers’ analysis has shocking proof that says pregnant women using Folic acid have 56% more chances of getting cancer.
Folic Acid, a vitamin by nature, is also known to reduce the risk of heart ailments and colon polyp, a condition where small clumps of cells are developed. But using both these vitamins in excessive quantity, according to Byers, could lead to cancer.
Two trials of beta-carotene supplements revealed that patients using the vitamin above the prescribed dosage increased the risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease by 20%. On the other hand, another trial of 35,000 people during the period of 2001 and 2014 found that there is a 17% more chance of prostate cancer in people who use excess of vitamin E tablets.
Byer who is an associate director for prevention and control at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, began research two decades ago after coming to know that people who ate more fruits and vegetables showed less chances of developing cancer.
His research aimed at finding whether taking vitamin supplements instead of natural food reduces the threat of cancer further.
Byers was quoted by The Mirror, saying, “We have discovered that taking extra vitamins and minerals do more harm than good.”
He added “This is not to say that people need to be afraid of taking vitamins and minerals. If taken at the correct dosage multivitamins can be good for you. But there is no substitute for good food.”