East Lancashire health stores hit out over vitamin claims

4:12pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

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HEALTH stores have hit back at a report which said taking vitamins could shorten people's lives.

A review of 67 studies by researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital found there was no conclusive evidence taking supplements of vitamins A and E can prolong life and in some cases it could lead to a premature death.

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But the review is disputed by those in the vitamin and nutrition industry.

Wayne Godden, a qualified nutritionist at Moorey's Health Store in Blackburn, said: "Tests which are done in test tubes do not relate to the real world.

"There are no enzymes in test tubes, which are basically things in the human body which make things work.

"It is cynical this comes at a time when pharmaceutical companies in the US are being exposed for lying about how many people have been killed by their drugs."

He added: "There has never been a proper study anywhere in the world that shows vitamins cause harm.

"Every penny spent on a remedy is one not spent on a drug."

Joanne Wainman promotes natural remedies and foods at her shop Good Life in Barnoldswick.

She said: "Vitamin supplements play an important role in promoting health especially for those who are unable to obtain the minerals from their diets.

"If elderly people are prone to getting a cold or flu we would recommend increasing their intake of vitamin C in winter."

Anti-oxidants, found in vitamins, were believed to get rid of free oxygen radicals in the the body, which are caused when someone exercises and can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Supplements contain up to 100 times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) than a typical one-a-day multivitamin, which contain a maximum of 150% RDA.

Sanam Asgar, of Blackburn and Darwen Primary Care Trust, and said many of the vitamins we need can be found naturally.

She said: "All of the vitamins and minerals we need come from fruit and vegetables so we would recommend people get a variety of at least five portions of them every day.

"If people think they need a supplement then we would advised to go for low dose of one."

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "If you eat a balanced diet, there should be no need to take vitamin supplements."