Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 10: With people in Kashmir valley hooked on multivitamins, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said that the multi-vitamins have no health benefits and some of them are even harmful.
DAK President, Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement said that people dose up on multi-vitamins as if they are elixir of life. They think these supplements are an instant fix for feeling run down or lack of energy. They believe that multivitamins prevent disease and quell the ravages of ageing.” Do not boost your health and don’t replace a healthy diet,” he said.
Dr Nisar said contrary to popular belief, research has failed to find any substantial evidence that vitamins do any significant good. “According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, most of the multivitamins and minerals have no health benefits in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke or early death,” he said.
He said multivitamins do nothing to slow cognitive decline associated with ageing and there is no data to support that they prevent cancer. In fact, several supplements have been linked with an increased risk of certain cancers.
“In a study, beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements increased the risk of lung cancer among smokers by 28%. Another study found that men who consume vitamin E had 17% increased risk of prostate cancer,” he said
Dr Nisar said multi-vitamins are not only unnecessary, but potentially dangerous and their use is not justified and they should be avoided.
He said there is absolutely no substitute for a healthy diet which is the ideal source of the vitamins we need. Fruits and vegetables will give your body the vitamins it needs, at the right level and in the right balance.
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