JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2001

food supplements Do they play other roles than the obvious ones ? According to nutritional professionals, certain population groups such as persons following repeated weight loss programs, strict vegetarians (vegans), expecting mothers, elders with poor eating habits, and certain children from poor socio-economic backgrounds are more at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies than the average groups. Still according to them, most healthy adults do not need supplements. A diet based on Canada’s food guide is enough, provided food choices are varied. However, many doctors are now convinced that food supplements do more than just meeting nutritional deficiencies. Scientific evidence suggests that taking supplements improves health, even when our diet is appropriately balanced, according to Dr. Michael Janson author of “The vitamin revolution in Health care”. Scientific publications clearly demonstrate that individuals who absorb high doses of certain nutrients, such as vitamin C and E, (doses which can’t be met by diet alone), enjoy certain advantages. During the last few years, researchers have discovered a link between vitamins or their deficiencies and a certain number of health threats, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, if the daily intake is sufficient to prevent deficiencies diseases such as rickets and scurvy, it might not be high enough to prevent other severe problems. This observation is particularly applicable to vitamins C and E, two anti-oxidants. They are essential to block the harmful effects of free radicals; those destructive oxygen molecules which harm healthy cells. Researchers believe that free radicals play a major role in causing cancer, cardiovascular disease and several other severe health problems. Since free radicals are generated each day in large quantity , the recommended daily intake of anti-oxidants might not be sufficient to neutralise their damage. So, what is the recommended dose? Research is still relatively new on the subject and scientists have not determined the required doses above the daily recommended nutrient intake (RNI). However, several studies suggest that the required dose for vitamin C would be four times the RNI, to provide optimal protection. In a study of 1500 men done over fifty years, researchers have noticed that the death risk due to cancer was 37% lower in subjects which consumed 138 milligrams of vitamin C and small amounts of beta-carotene daily, than in subjects consuming 66 milligrams of vitamin C daily (the RNI is 60 milligrams). Other studies have demonstrated that large intakes of vitamin C (quite above the RNI), could improve the immune system, improve pulmonary function, reduce cancer risk, cataracts and cardio-vascular disease. Vitamin E is another powerful anti-oxidant. Studies have shown that it can stop the deposit of cholesterol on arteries, while preventing platelets agglutination (responsible for blood coagulation). However, studies show that vitamin E is mostly efficient when its intake is much higher than the RNI (which is only 30 international units). In fact, researchers from the New South Wales university in Australia have noticed that the minimal required vitamin E dose to prevent cardio-vascular disease is approximately 500 international units, which is 16 times the RNI. It is almost impossible to consume this level by diet alone. Thus, “It would be beneficial for most healthy individuals to take a vitamin E supplement” comments Dr Jason. Sonia Faggion Bibliography: Les remèdes des médecins, par Hélène Yeager et les rédacteurs des livres de Santé Rodale. Les suppléments : en prendre ou ne pas en prendre, 5 décembre 1999, par l’Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec.