Are vitamins bad for you?

[Baph]

On the way home from the BP meet last night, I saw the above headline on display at the garage, and almost fell off the bike laughing.

i've done a quick (~30secs) google about the issue today. Apparently vitamins may not help you live longer by doing the things the claim (like helping reduce risk of heart attack etc), but instead, may actually see you die sooner than you would if you hadn't taken them.

A review of 67 studies (unknown number of participants) found no conclusive evidence that multi-vitamins help provide a longer life. Some scientists even found that vitamins A and E may reduce the body's immune system.

Discuss. :)

[slark01]

Too much of anything can kill you, same goes with vitamins.

[SoulKiss]

Meant to warn Dirk that, if he is in Siberia, and he finds a Polar Bear, not to eat the liver.

Too much Vitamin A - enough to kill you

[dizzyblonde]

only if you choke on them, when you swallow them.....lol



they're good for you in moderation...not a substitute for a balanced diet....yawn.....sound like one o the PC brigade don't i

[PAPPACLART]

just eat healthy and you will get all the vitamins you need. My dad has been saying the above for years. It''s just and industry, no different to the diet insustry working on peoples insecurities to make money.

[Baph]

just eat healthy and you will get all the vitamins you need. My dad has been saying the above for years. It''s just and industry, no different to the diet insustry working on peoples insecurities to make money.

If that be the case, quite shocking that said industry has not clearly warned of the possible effects of too much of given vitamins (A & E being the example given above), no?

I wonder if there's any sort of regulatory body...

[gettin2dizzy]

What isn't bad for you.

'long life increases chances of death' with be the next headline

[sharriso74]

Not doing all the things that are supposed to be bad for doesn't make you live longer it just feels it

[Ping]

I OD-ed on iodine taking iodine tablets and kelp tablets at the same time...

Screwed up my thyroid.

So, yes... they can be bad for you. :p

:lol:

[Blue_SV650S]

just eat healthy and you will get all the vitamins you need. .

What a wonderful statement ... and obviously we all know exactly what OUR (not average) OUR body needs at any given point! Also they know exactly what food will give them that, but not too much of something else ?

It is for these reasons people take supplements!

Yes you can OD on vitamins (I think with the exception of Vit C)

[Baph]

Yes you can OD on vitamins (I think with the exception of Vit C)
Although I do know of someone that tried to OD on vitamin C. Genius.

[Steve_God]

Too much of anything can kill you, including water!
Seriously: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

'tis all about the moderation! :)

[gettin2dizzy]

Call me crazy but I think the clue is in the word 'supplement'

[Ping]

Call me crazy but I think the clue is in the word 'supplement'

Pah! You be talkin' crazy talk!


:-dd

[Alpinestarhero]

G2D is correct; you should take vitamins if you are not getting enough form your diet. If you are getting enough, then dont bother taking any more.

An example is vitamin C; it acts as an antioxidant / free radical scavenger in the body. However, too much vitamin C can promote the formation of free radicals. These can attack and damage cellular material, including your DNA...

Oh, and there is some evidence to suggest that aquiring more vitamin C when you have a cold dosn't really do anything to help you get better :wink: hurrah for placebo effects and coincidence!

Matt