I would be very interested in opinions as to whether the human body is really in need of mega doses of supplements or if they may end up being harmful in the long term. I realize that the negative results with the Vitamin E and beta carotine studies were believed to be because they were taken in isolated forms but isn't that what we are really doing with all vitamin supplements? It's easy to find info on why to take vitamins but does anyone know of good info resources on why not to?

I just saw an anti-aging physician who, of course, recommended supplements many of which I believe she was selling at her office. I am wondering if all that money would be better spent buying the best quality food. Thanks!

Dear Marnie:

During aging many critical biochemical substances, such as DHEA or alpha lipoid acid, sharply decline and the biochemical balances that produced a youthful body are lost and aging accelerates.

So the goal of diet changes and supplements is to restore the biochemical balances that once produced a youthful and more healthy body.

That is why we believe so strongly in them - It is possible to some extent to create a younger biochemistry in your body/skin with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and supplements.

Although you had already mentioned that there's plenty of sources for information on why - Here's our page on why it is important due to human dietary changes and other factors:
http://www.skinbiology.com/dietsupplements.html

But everything should be done in moderation.
-Skin Bio Team

Thank you Skin Bio Team! I have definately been reading that link and it is a great place to start! Now if I could just find everything in one pill!

Thanks, Deb, for responding to my post! I’m so glad you are back on the board because I so thoroughly enjoy your well-researched and informative posts. You are such an integral part of the forum; please never leave again.

I had been trying to do research through the old posts and came across the February thread on your three-tiered approach including the Big Kuhuna. Did you ever post this information and I just can’t find it? I would be so thankful for your help. I do have the Perricone books if that helps.

Thanks for the link. I didn't know Dr. Pickart wrote about oral supplements.

Beta carotene
Beta carotene is a substance from plants that the body converts into vitamin A. It also acts as an antioxidant and an immune system booster. Dark green and orange-yellow vegetables are good sources of beta-carotene. It is also available in supplements. Beta carotene also prevents from Leukoplakia, Lung cancer, Night blindness and Photosensitivity more....

Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil is extracted from the evening primrose plant (Oenothera biennis), a wildflower found in North America, Europe and parts of Asia. Evening primrose oil is certainly not the only source of GLA; various foods actually contain small amounts of it and the body produces GLA on its own from a number of dietary fats. But evening primrose oil offers an unusually concentrated source, with 7% to 10% of its fatty acids available in the form of GLA. Evening primrose oil may help to relieve the discomforts of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menstruation, Ease the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis, Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage, Reduce the symptoms of eczema, Protect against the effects of aging, and Nourish nails, scalp, and hair more....

5-HTP
5-HTP has also been proposed for all the same uses as other antidepressants, including aiding weight loss, preventing migraine headaches, decreasing the discomfort of fibromyalgia, improving sleep quality, and reducing anxiety. 5-HTP is small enough to do so. Once in the brain, they're converted into an important nervous system chemical, or neurotransmitter, called serotonin.5-HTP is not found in foods to any appreciable extent. For use as a supplement, it is manufactured from the seeds of an African plant. The body also produces its own supply of 5-HTP from tryptophan, an amino acid found in high-protein foods such as chicken, fish, beef, and dairy products. Concerns about 5-HTP'shttp://www.homeherb.com/store.asp?filename=5-HTP

Acetyl L-Carnitine
Acetyl L-Carnitine is an amino acid-like compoAcetyl L-Carnitineund that helps the body produce energy. While readily abundant in meats and dairy foods, Acetyl L-Carnitine had taken in supplement form to increase vitality. Acetyl L-Carnitine plays a critical role in metabolizing a number of other important substances as well, which helps to explain why it holds promise for so many disorders. Studies are conflicting regarding the effectiveness of Acetyl L-Carnitine for enhancing athletic performance by improving energy and fat metabolism, for memory loss associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease and boost an immune response in people who are HIV-infected. If you are suffering from any of these condition than more....

Cod Liver Oil
Cod Liver Oil is Swiss Herbal's Vitamin A & D products are available in a variety of formulations. Vitamins A & D are fat soluble vitamins, which are stored by the body, transported by lipids and utilized by the body when the physiological need is present. Cod Liver Oil is a natural source of Vitamin A and D. Vitamins A and D are factors in the maintenance of good health. Cod Liver Oil is unfortified, non-determinate (contains entire oil), unconcentrate d and neither bleached nor deodorized. It is also a rich and most economical source of the biologically active omega-3 class polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Available in unflavored, cherry flavored, orange flavored, mint flavored, capsule, emulsified and devitaminized forms. To take the Cod liver Oil in variety more....

Shark Cartilage
Shark Cartilage is truly a cartilage tissue from a shark Cartilage, a elastic tissue through a process of calcification, transformed into bones which make up the fully developed skeletal system. Cartilage is apparent in the human body, as your nose and "Adam's apple". Shark Cartilage as an Angiogenesis Inhibitor and Potential Aid in the Fight against Cancer and other Angiogenesis-Dependent Diseases, shark cartilage is also available encapsulated in gelatin capsules or pressed into caplets which are taken orally. Shark Cartilage can Heal your Joints, and best for bodybuilders for their best performance more....

Sytrinol
Sytrinol dietary supplement shows dramatic effects in lowering cholesterol, LDL, and Triglycerides. Every year heart attacks and stroke cause more than 930,000 deaths in the United States. Sytrinol is also a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that support a healthy heart. Sytrinol naturally balances cholestrol levels. Sytrinol, a patented formula of complex citrus polymethoxylated flavones and tocotrienols (from the vitamin E family). more..

Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba is a popular herbal medicine is extracted from the fan-shaped leaves of the ancient ginkgo biloba tree. It is only in the last few decades that the medicinal uses for the herb have been studied in the West. An extract of ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is used to make the supplement. It is obtained by drying and milling the leaves and then extracting their active ingredients. When buying Ginkgo Biloba, look for preparations containing GBE to be sure you get the greatest benefit. Ginkgo Biloba may help to Counter impotence, reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, Ease asthmatic attacks, Optimize brain power and Treat complications due to diabetes. To get the benefits of Ginkgo Biloba more..

Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is the starting point from which all steroid hormones are manufactured in our bodies. Its conversion in the body follows different pathways, depending on individual needs. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that pregnenolone may enhance psychomotor performance and decrease fatigue in healthy subjects. Pregnenolone is beneficial effects may also be less dramatic. In scientific studies not only with laboratory animals but with human volunteers as well, pregnenolone has been shown to improve mental functions. Pregnenolone also taken over a sufficient period of time to alleviates arthritis and rheumatism. more..

Quercetin
Quercetin, which is primarily found in apples, onions, and black tea, is a type of flavonoid (plant pigment). Quercetin receiving good health-related press in recent years. Quercetin appears to help fight a host of disorders, from asthma to cancer to heart disease. The latest findings indicate that Quercetin and other flavonoids may also help to prevent heart attacks. Quercetin may help to: Reduce cancer risk, Prevent heart attack, Stave off cataracts and Control asthma more....

Relora
Relora is an exciting new and unique combination of plant extracts proven to combat stress and anxiety. It is practically shown that Relora is to be a safe, effective, rapid-acting, non-sedating supplement, which promoted relaxation, calm and a feeling of well-being. Relora has also been demonstrated to lower Cortisol levels, which often are responsible for weight gain. Relora is a patent pending plant extract of Phellodendron amurense and Magnolia officinalis more...

Lycopene
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products, may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. Lycopene is the subject of recent research revealing its antioxidant properties. Lycopene may be beneficial as part of a balanced diet. Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by the body if processed into different Hurbs and Supplemnts and for this purpose more..

Lysine
Lysine is one of numerous amino acids that the body needs for growth and tissue repair. It is classified as one of the nine "essential" amino acids because you need to get it from outside sources such as foods or supplements--in other words the body can't make it on its own. Many foods supply lysine, but the richest sources by far include red meats, fish, dairy products, and Herbs & Supplementary Products. Lysine supplementation and the consumption of lysine-rich foods for lowering cholesterol, improving athletic performance, and enhancing recovery after surgery. Lysine may help to: Prevent and relieve cold sores (herpes), and Speed healing of shingles lesions more...

Horny goat Weed
Horny goat weed has become very popular as an aphrodisiac herb, and it may be beneficial for relieving stress as well. Horny goat weed works for increasing sexual desire. It is believed that horny goat weed may be able to restore levels of testosterone and thyroid hormones. Horny Goat Weed's combination of botanical ingredients, namely Horny Goat Weed, Maca, Mucuna pruriens and Polypodium vulgare may enhance sexual performance. If you want to enhance you sexual performance then take a buyer’s guide to the best Horny goat weed safe, effective, rapid-acting, non-sedating supplement more..

Chlorella
Chlorella is a genus of unicellular green algae belonging to the Phylum Chlorophyta. Chlorella is a popular food supplement and is marketed as a nutritional supplement in the United States. Chlorella Contains Natural Digestive and other Enzymes. Chlorella often used in studies of photosynthesis and other experiments. Chlorella -- a unicellular, green algae offers your body a two-fold attack against cancer. If your cancer have diagnose, then more..

Arginine

Systematic name: 2-amino-5-(diaminomethylidene amino) pentanoic acid
Chemical formula C6H14N4O2
Molecular mass 174.2 g mol-1
L-Arginine (Arginine) is an α-amino acid. The L-form is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid There is enough arginine made by your body, so supplementation is not generally required. It is found in nuts, seeds, chocolate and raisins. L-Arginine plays an important role in cell division, the healing of wounds, removing ammonia from the body, immune function, and the release of hormones. L-Arginine is one of several nonessential amino acids for adult mammals; i.e., they can synthesize it from glutamic acid and do not require dietary sources.read more..

L-Arginine is used by the body in the execution of many important physiological processes including hormone secretion, output of growth hormone, removal of toxins from the body and enhancement of the immune system. It is also a precursor of nitric oxide which vasodiolates vessels in the body. For this reason L-Arginine is often used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, sexual dysfunction and infertility. Recent research has also highlighted Arginine 's ability to scavenge free radicals, remove bad cholesterol, enhance fat metabolism and regulate salt levels. read moreread more
L-Arginine is available in tablets, capsules or powdered form.

Calcium Supplement
Most people know that calcium is crucial to building and maintaining strong bones, teeth, and connective tissue. However, many are unaware of other equally important roles calcium plays in the body, calcium promotes healthy digestion through the production of hormones and enzymes, calcium helps nerves pass the electrical messages needed to contract the heart and other muscles in the body, assists in normal blood clotting, and may help prevent high blood pressure and colon cancer.
Calcium is found in a wide variety of foods, but some foods are more rich in calcium than others. The food group with the most calcium is dairy - milk, yogurt and cheese. If your diet does not include an adequate amount of calcium, a high quality calcium supplement could provide you with health benefits. It's the easy way to keep your bones healthy and strong. As one serving of dairy product provides 300mg of calcium, those who do not consume enough calcium from food sources may need calcium supplements to meet their daily requirement.
Men can benefit from calcium supplements. Although osteoporosis is less common in men than in women, men do lose bone density as they age. After age 65, the rate of decline in men is the same as in women. By age 75, one-third of men have osteoporosis.
Calcium supplements can help you consume the recommended daily amount of calcium if you don’t get enough in your diet. Look for calcium supplements that contain calcium carbonate because they have the highest percentage of elemental calcium, the type of calcium your body readily uses read more..read more..

Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ 10) or ubiquinone is essentially a vitamin or vitamin-like substance. CoQ10 was first isolated from beef heart mitochondria by Dr. Frederick Crane of Wisconsin, U.S.A., in 1957. Many different names are used to describe coenzyme q10, including ubiquinon, coenzym coq10, co-enzyme q10, and coenzime as well as many others. Despite the possible confusion over the numerous aliases for coenzyme Q10, the fact remains that people across the world use coenzyme-q10 with phenomenal results. The main function of Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is to provide energy for the body’s cell growth and maintenance and there are a number of scientific and medical studies suggesting that Coenzyme Q10 may be effective against diseases such as, Heart Disease, Heart Failure, Breast Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease and High Blood Pressure. Are you wondering where you can buy Coenzyme Q10: discounted coenzyme Q10, high quality coenzyme Q10, with free shipping coenzyme Q10? you are at the right place we have a wide selection of Coenzyme Q10 supplements.. read more
Royal Jelly
Royal Jelly is actually a substance secreted from the glands in the heads of worker bees that's fed to bee larvae. After a few days, the larvae that have potential to develop into queens continue to be fed this nectar. Since queen bees are much bigger, live much longer, and are more fertile than all the other bees. Royal Jelly is not just useful for the bees. It contains remarkable amounts of proteins, lipids, glucides, vitamins, hormones, enzymes, mineral substances, and specific vital factors that act as biocatalysts in cell regeneration processes within the human body. Royal jelly is rich in protein, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, C, E, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, inositol and folic acid. In fact, Royal Jelly contains seventeen times as much pantothenic acid as that found in dry pollen. Royal Jelly is taken extensively to promote energy and health, common associated benefits of royal jelly include: Healthier skin and hair, more youthful appearance, Strengthened immune system, more resilience to colds flu and other illnesses that attack the immune system, reduced feelings of stress or reaction to stress read more..read more..


Phenylalanine
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid which means that it is essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body we must get it from the diet. The primary dietary sources of phenylalanine are high protein foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Phenylalanine needed for normal functioning of the central nervous system. It has been used successfully to help control symptoms of depression and chronic pain, as well as other diseases linked to a malfunctioning central nervous system. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. Inside the body, phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine, another amino acid. Tyrosine is then used to produce dopamine and norepinephrine, both neurotransmitters. All of these elements are important because of their relationship to the central nervous system. There are three different kinds of phenylalanine: L-phenylalanine, D-phenylalanine, and DL-phenylalanine. Each type of phenylalanine is used to treat different symptoms. D-phenylalanine is more effective for controlling pain, while L-phenylalanine is more effective for regulating mood, appetite, and mental alertness; DL-phenylalanine affects both pain sensitivity and mental state. Contraindications of phenylalanine supplementation are in those individuals who display a hyper-functioning nervous state (anxiety) that may be aggravated by adrenaline. Supplementation with phenylalanine in these people can actually amplify the problem. Phenylalanine is known to be the antagonist of tryptophan. Whereas tryptophan has been used to induce sleep, phenylalanine has been used to increase states of arousal. Among the additional alleged health benefits of phenylalanine and phenylalanine supplementation are a use in the suppression of pain and as an weight loss aid through the suppression of appetite. read more..
Omega-3 Fish Oil
Fish oil one of your best sources for essential Omega-3 the most common sources for omega 3 fish oil are: Mackerel (Atlantic), Salmon (Atlantic), Trout Arctic Char.When the human body is woefully short on EPA, it tends to produce other eicosanoids that are not quite beneficial to your health. These eicosanoids have been linked to several unfavorable health conditions. Meanwhile, the EPA found in fish oils is an invaluable commodity for preventing heart diseases and circulatory troubles.Omega-3 Fish Oil helps fight and prevent heart disease, cancer, depression, Alzheimer's, arthritis, diabetes, ulcers, hyperactivity and many other diseases Increases your energy level and ability to concentrate, Omega-3 Fish Oil provides greater resistance to common illnesses such as flu and cold, Omega-3 Fish Oil helps pregnant women avoid premature births, low birth weight and other complications, Omega-3 Fish Oil improve brain development Omega-3 Fish Oil increase memory function Omega-3 Fish Oil enhance heart health and joint elasticity read more..

Dietary Fiber / Hoodia Gordonii/Amino Acids/Digestion System/Stevia/Flax Seed Oil/Progesterone/Muscle Builder/Shark Cartilage/Astragalus/Bromelain/Spirulina/Chromium Picolinate/Red Rice Yeast/Colon Cleanse/Phenylalanine/Hawthorn Berries/Herbal Teas/Arnica/Cranberry/Evening Primrose Oil/Nettle/Selenium/Glutamine/Chlorella/Pycnogenol/Biotin/Grape Seed Extract/Inositol/Red Clover/Apricot/Bee Pollen/Gotu Kola/Valerian Root/Lavender oil/Pregnenolone/Vitex/Horny Goat Weed/Candida/Gymnema Sylvestre/Immune System/Sambucol/Hep Forte/Maca Herb/Bath & Body/Homeopathy/Beauty & Cosmetics/Herbal Supplements/Minerals/Senior's Health/Sports Nutrition/Vitamins/Women's Health/Cold & Flu/Diet & Weight Loss/Anti Aging/Joint Health/Heart Health/Pets Care/Sexual Vitality/Oral Care/Men's Health/Children Health/Nutritional Supplements

would like to seek opinions and views on this topic that recent research claims that Vitamins 'may shorten lifespan' ?



Vitamins 'may shorten lifespan'
5:00AM Thursday Apr 17, 2008



Photo / Brett PhibbsWe swallow them by the bucketload at great expense but there is no evidence vitamin supplements do us any good, and they may even be doing us harm, scientists have concluded.

In a blow to the multimillion-dollar dietary supplement industry, a review of 67 randomised trials of vitamin pills has found that far from prolonging life, they may actually shorten it.

There is "no convincing evidence" that antioxidant supplements cut the risk of dying prematurely and some of the commonest ones may increase the risk of early death, according to the review, published by The Cochrane Collaboration international research group.

The latest review, one of the largest involving 232,000 participants, compared those taking the supplements with those who took a placebo or received no treatment. The supplements studied were beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A that is converted into the vitamin in the body), vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium.

Goran Bjelakovich, who led the review, said: "We could find no evidence to support taking antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of dying earlier in healthy people or patients with various diseases.

Advertisement"The findings show that, if anything, people in trial groups given beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality. There was no indication that vitamin C and selenium may have positive or negative effects; we need more data [on these]."

The researchers separated out the 47 trials with a low risk of bias and in these they found a significantly increased death rate.

When taken separately, vitamin A was associated with a 16 per cent increased mortality, beta-carotene with a 7 per cent increase and vitamin E with a 4 per cent increase. For vitamin C and selenium there was no significant increase or decrease in the death rate.


The researchers were unable to explain their findings but said "excessive antioxidants can adversely affect key physiological processes".

But Pamela Mason of Britain's Health Supplements Information Service said trials using antioxidant supplements "have shown inconsistent findings and yet another review is not going to tell us anything at this stage that we do not already know".

PILL POPPING
Increased early death rates among people taking vitamin supplements

Vitamin A: 16 per cent.
Beta-carotene: 7 per cent.
Vitamin E: 4 per cent increase.
Vitamin C: No change.
Selenium: No change.

Article extracted from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/heal...04&objectid=10504502

The scientists that I know who study aging all take handfuls of antioxidants and all seem to live a very long time.

But it is possible to take too many. Oxidative molecules are needed in the body to generate energy and kill bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

The entire antioxidant and nutrient requirements of the human body are still unknown.

The large pharmaceutical companies are trying to make all vitamins and supplements only available as prescription drugs. This is that they can capture the money spent on these items.

That is true for many people I know too.... but I think the key here is that they find out what their bodies are lacking in and then supplement in conjunction with diet changes not instead of. I think that our bodies are all uniquely different and at times, even food can be challenging to different people in different ways (after all - all food is alien to our bodies), but in their natural states, the vitamins and minerals (identified ones and unidentified ones) are more easily used by the body, than genetically made ones.

I think that even our organic foods are much less high in the vitamins and minerals that it used to be (particularly here in the UK), and thats partly because of farming, which has had to adapt over the recent years and as a result the soil in which crops are grown is much more deficient in magnesium than ten years ago, but also the percentages of the vitamins and minerals that used to be present are probably much more significantly less than before.

I suppose it presents more questions than answers really when we consider it in greater depth.

quote:

The scientists that I know who study aging all take handfuls of antioxidants and all seem to live a very long time.

But it is possible to take too many. Oxidative molecules are needed in the body to generate energy and kill bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.

The entire antioxidant and nutrient requirements of the human body are still unknown.

The large pharmaceutical companies are trying to make all vitamins and supplements only available as prescription drugs. This is that they can capture the money spent on these items.

thanks alot Dr. Pickart for the explanations, guess i will be continuing on my vit C intakes

Hi All:
I was not sure where to post this concern but while we are talking about supplements being good or bad for you..... I take about 7 supplements daily and just realized that there is magnesium stearate in 3/4 of my stuff. Some animal and some vegetable but the entire concept of eating this makes me cringe. I avoid hydrogenated oils like the plague. I really don't need hidden help clogging my arteries. I have read a lot of opinions on the internet but can someone tell me for sure if it is 1) Bad for me like hydrogenated oil is supposed to be and 2)Interfering with the absorption of my supplements. It may not be a lot per serving but I take my supplements faithfully and some of them twice a day. Needless to say I am completely freaked-out by this. If I ask the supplement manufacturers they will say there's not enough in there to matter (as I would expect them to respond) Has anyone read something from a medical source that can tell me if I'm nuts or I'm right? There's a lot of passionate misinformation out there.

The body has ben proven to adjust its absorption rate of nutrients based on what it needs; excessive intake just lowers the absorption.

If something is relatively scarce, the body absorbs it extremely efficiently.

It is good to eat well and provide the optimal conditions for the body to do what it does best-- it is already exquisitely tuned and sensitive.

Many people don't agree about this; the above is just my take. But we do know that the body is able to do this, and does, as a matter of course.

You can help with supplementation with amino acids like methionine and phenylalanine-- which are relatively scarce in foods naturally, and which inhibit protein absorption-- to allow the protein you eat to become more fully utilized (less than 50% of it is usually utilized due to the relative scarcity of these 2 aminos), so this can work. But generally the body upregulates and downregulates its absorption of other nutrients quite efficiently on its own, and short of extreme malnutrition can handle things quite well it seems.

The problem is aging. DHEA drops about 90% from age 20 to 70. The total antioxidants in the blood also drop drastically.

If you are young, you may need nothing. But as you age, the body seem designed to shut itself off. With the supplements, it may be possible to keep healthy longer.

Before insulin was discovered, it was assumed that insulin-dependent youthful diabetes was a death sentence. Now people with diabetes live a normal life span.