Are any of you dismayed and confused by the recent news reports on a new study which supposedly showed an increase in mortality among older women who took dietary supplements? One has to question what kind of supplements were used since many do contain artificial colors, additives, lead, and other toxic residues as does our food. At the same time, there are countless good studies documenting the positive benefits of whole food supplements so I am posting one nutrition company's response to this study which will hopefully put some things back into perspective. The letter which was e mailed to me reads as follows:
Oct. 12, 2011
Dear Shaklee Consumer:
You may have heard about a study, Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women,
published in the October 10 issue of the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine.
We believe the study results and conclusions are presented in a biased and unduly negative manner,when in fact, the results are inconclusive at best. It’s also very clear that this study should not be used to draw conclusions regarding the effects of supplementation on human health.
Some possible limitations of the study include:
1. The study is an observational study that only describes associations and does not prove
cause and effect. It should be considered with all the research on dietary supplementation,
including the Shaklee Landmark Study which showed that long-term Shaklee supplement
users had markedly better health than both single supplement users and nonusers.
2. The study results actually show that calcium supplementation reduces risk for total
mortality, but this positive finding is buried among the negative headlines. This seems
indicative of the bias present in reporting the study results.
3. In the original study analysis, users of B vitamins, vitamins C, D, E, and calcium had
significantly lower risk of total mortality compared to nonusers. Only after adjustment of
the data were some of these nutrients associated with a very slight increased risk for total
mortality.
4. Supplemental iron is identified as increasing the risk of total mortality in this elderly
female population. Shaklee recognizes that supplemental iron is not required by seniors
without specific iron needs, and this is precisely the reason our Vitalizer Gold product for
adults age 50+ has never contained iron.
5. Supplemental copper was linked to a slightly increased risk of total mortality. Shaklee
recognizes that copper intakes are generally adequate and this is reflected in the reduced
levels of copper found in our 4 new Vitalizer formulas.
6. The dietary supplement collection tools were not validated for this population and the
investigators presented no data to support their conclusions regarding dosage levels. We
find it difficult to make conclusions regarding the effects of supplementation when intake
levels are not reported.
7. There are no explanations or reasons given for supplement usage, nor was there any
screening for individuals at higher risk of disease. In many cases we see increasing use of
supplements for therapeutic reasons, especially with increasing age.
In closing, we believe that this study needs to be considered with the totality of the evidence
supporting supplementation. The overwhelming body of research on supplementation supports the
prudent use of dietary supplements as a part of a healthy lifestyle, to fill nutritional gaps in the diet, to support a high quality of life, and to support a longer, healthier life. At Shaklee, we believe that a preventive approach to health begins much earlier in life than in the 60's and we commit to
staying at the leading edge of science and health, and our products and health recommendations
will always reflect these principles.
Shaklee Health Sciences
http://www.clinicals.shaklee.com
http://www.power-blog.com/free1/3867
Oct. 12, 2011
Dear Shaklee Consumer:
You may have heard about a study, Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women,
published in the October 10 issue of the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine.
We believe the study results and conclusions are presented in a biased and unduly negative manner,when in fact, the results are inconclusive at best. It’s also very clear that this study should not be used to draw conclusions regarding the effects of supplementation on human health.
Some possible limitations of the study include:
1. The study is an observational study that only describes associations and does not prove
cause and effect. It should be considered with all the research on dietary supplementation,
including the Shaklee Landmark Study which showed that long-term Shaklee supplement
users had markedly better health than both single supplement users and nonusers.
2. The study results actually show that calcium supplementation reduces risk for total
mortality, but this positive finding is buried among the negative headlines. This seems
indicative of the bias present in reporting the study results.
3. In the original study analysis, users of B vitamins, vitamins C, D, E, and calcium had
significantly lower risk of total mortality compared to nonusers. Only after adjustment of
the data were some of these nutrients associated with a very slight increased risk for total
mortality.
4. Supplemental iron is identified as increasing the risk of total mortality in this elderly
female population. Shaklee recognizes that supplemental iron is not required by seniors
without specific iron needs, and this is precisely the reason our Vitalizer Gold product for
adults age 50+ has never contained iron.
5. Supplemental copper was linked to a slightly increased risk of total mortality. Shaklee
recognizes that copper intakes are generally adequate and this is reflected in the reduced
levels of copper found in our 4 new Vitalizer formulas.
6. The dietary supplement collection tools were not validated for this population and the
investigators presented no data to support their conclusions regarding dosage levels. We
find it difficult to make conclusions regarding the effects of supplementation when intake
levels are not reported.
7. There are no explanations or reasons given for supplement usage, nor was there any
screening for individuals at higher risk of disease. In many cases we see increasing use of
supplements for therapeutic reasons, especially with increasing age.
In closing, we believe that this study needs to be considered with the totality of the evidence
supporting supplementation. The overwhelming body of research on supplementation supports the
prudent use of dietary supplements as a part of a healthy lifestyle, to fill nutritional gaps in the diet, to support a high quality of life, and to support a longer, healthier life. At Shaklee, we believe that a preventive approach to health begins much earlier in life than in the 60's and we commit to
staying at the leading edge of science and health, and our products and health recommendations
will always reflect these principles.
Shaklee Health Sciences
http://www.clinicals.shaklee.com
http://www.power-blog.com/free1/3867
