Research Study Results that DID NOT make Headlines! Middle
Aged Men taking one multivitamin a day can reduce their risk of cancer by 8%!!!
The article's title: "Multivitamin Use Among Middle-Aged Men Results in Modest Reduction in Cancer"
The title of
these study results is very minimized and a bit misleading. It specifically
mentions that middle aged men may see a modest
reduction in cancers with multivitamin use.
Minimized and
Misleading? In my opinion, yes.
I would think that this information should be a headline story on the every
news broadcast and in make headlines in newspapers. An 8% reduction in cancer
risk equates to 8 out of 100 “middle aged men” decrease their risk of cancer by
something as inexpensive and easy as taking a multivitamin once a day.
If this was a new
medication it would be plastered all over the media. If it were a costly recommendation
that would make billions of dollars for investors...shouted from the rooftop. I
saw this study in one post. With no hoopla...with no affirmation.
The only reason
there is a limitation on reduction in risk of cancer to middle aged men is
because they were chosen as the study participants. It follows that a
muli-vitamin/day could and would decrease cancer risk for men, women, and even
children. And if a younger than middle-aged person began taking multi-vitamins
daily, could they reduce their chances of developing cancer by an even greater
percentage?
This much is
true: It is close to impossible for people to get all the vitamins/minerals
their body requires on a daily basis. Some vitamins, water soluble vitamins
like all the B vitamins, Vitamin C must be ingested in required amounts DAILY
for the body to function optimally. This is not happening in most dietary
intakes in the US in the 21st century.
As a registered
dietitian, I should be able to provide the inside scoop for a high quality
nutritionally balanced intake that meets the needs of the body in 2012. But the
truth is...our food supply is tainted. Our crops and livestock, and feed are
contaminated with pesticides, hormones, chemicals, sprays. "Fresh"
produce sits in trucks and is days/weeks old before you purchase it in your
store as “fresh.”In the 21st century, many Americans are not even preparing
many of their meals at home. A run to the bagel shop for a bagel and coffee for
breakfast (if we have breakfast), a drive through for a fast food lunch, a stop
for Chinese take out or pizza for dinner can be devoide of fruit, vegetables,
lean protein, healthy fat, vitamins, minerals...
Our daily dietary
intake is not balanced in protein, carbohydrate, and healthy fat, vegetables,
vitamins, minerals. And even if we intentionally try to eat healthily, our
natural food supply is lower than ever in nature. Our processing methods
destroy vitamins and add preservatives, fat, sugar, sodium.
The human body is
like a Lamborghini, the finest high tech machine ever made….and it requires
high quality nourishment to run correctly. Without the right “gas" our
body experiences inflammation, oxidative stress, nutrition deprivation, free
radical production, hormone imbalance….all of which can pull the trigger on
cancer. Vitamins can be soldiers that help protect the body from insult,
injury, disease, and provide immunity and resistance.
One multi
vitamin/day. The solution to prevent cancer? Far from it. Something we can
easily do to help insure that our body has the nutrients it needs to stay
healthy and in the process decrease cancer risk? YES.
Think of your
multi-vitamin/day as an insurance policy. Don't leave home without it. Take it
on a full stomach. Take it every day. One vitamin, multiple benefits....maybe even cancer prevention!
