“Study flags risk of daily dietary supplements and vitamins use among older  women”

This is just one of the many headlines associated with a recent review published in the  Journal Archives of Internal Medicine, named: Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate  in Older Women: The Iowa Women’s Health Study.

There have been a great deal of questions that have arisen from customers just like you relating  to this study and the news articles associated with it. There are so many different and  conflicting points of view related to supplements and nutrition that it is difficult to read through it all to get the most accurate health information and we sympathize with your struggle, what seems to be the best advice today is often touted as harmful the next.

About the Dietary Supplements Study

The fact is this “study” is not the final word on supplements; in fact, it is merely a study that looked at questionnaires and data from the Iowa Women’s Health Study to examine a possible link between vitamin and mineral supplements and death rates among 38,772 women whose average age was 61.6 in 1986. First of all; questionnaires are a self-reported source of information and are not as valid as results obtained from a systematic review of several randomized clinical trials.  Another consideration is that the deaths were identified through the State Health Registry of Iowa and the National Death Index and therefore the cause of death cannot be directly associated with the supplements. By 2008 when the death index was assessed, participants would have been an average of 83.6 years and being above the life expectancy it is impossible from mere questionnaires and elevation of a death index to assert that supplements were associated with increased total mortality risk. This review also brings to mind the consideration of quality of life, which again, with the data available would be impossible to evaluate.

Dietary Supplements or Food?

While many of us know that food is the best way to obtain our nutritional needs, the fact is, very few people eat the required amount of fruits, vegetables, fiber and other healthy foods a day to meet their needs and therefore supplementation is a great way to fill the nutritional gaps. There are also many populations that require additional nutrients and dietary supplements are the easiest way to accomplish this.

Dietary Supplements Study: Our Conclusions

There have been literally thousands of studies related to healthful benefits of hundreds of nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, vitamins and minerals; and while we feel it is imperative to continue research in the field of nutritional supplements, there is clearly not enough evidence presented in this data review to determine supplements are associated with increased mortality or to stop taking vitamins and supplements.  Also noted in that review was, “in contrast to the findings of many studies, calcium is associated with decreased risk,” this however, did not gain the headline. As always, be sure to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any supplement regime especially if you are being monitored for any health condition or taking medication as this can help ensure that there will be no adverse affects to the use of supplements.