The truth about vitamins

Some say if taken in high doses, vitamins can prevent or even cure diseases like cancer and heart disease. Others are afraid of taking high doses of some vitamins in the opposite direction can be harmful.

"For most of us, taking high-dose vitamins absolutely has no use at all," said Catherine Collins, head of nutrition at St George's Hospital. "It's a waste to say it lightly, it's heavier than a vitamin can seriously harm your health."

Both of these arguments were investigated by BBC's Horizon television program in a documentary titled "The Truth About Vitamins."

Prevent flu?

The intake of vitamins in high doses is known through the work of Nobel laureates Professor Linus Pauling. He said taking vitamin C in doses containing several hundred oranges can prevent or even cure common colds.

Many scientists post his uncle but the public listen.

Taking extra vitamins does not help prevent common colds.

 

Professor Balz Frei

Even Professor Pauling said that high doses of vitamins can help us live longer. This research by the scientist has encouraged a new generation of nutritional advisors who believe that vitamins with high doses are good for our health.

"I believe taking more vitamins not only helps us live longer than many years, but it is also a year of vitality," said Patrick Holford, a nutritionist.

In the UK, is vitamin C the best seller compared to other vitamins but does it help prevent the flu like Professor Linus Pauling said?

New discoveries

Professor Balz Frei, director of the Linus Pauling Research Institute, thinks the results of the latest studies show that Professor Pauling is both right and wrong. In general, taking high doses of vitamin C does not prevent us from getting colds, but it helps reduce symptoms and get better soon.

But people take vitamin C for many different reasons because this anti-oxidants vitamin is also thought to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is believed that people who eat and drink have high levels of anti-oxidants are less likely to develop cancer or cardiovascular disease.

The reason for using anti-oxidants can help reduce damage caused by molecules known as radicals."We grow old because of the nature of this free radicals," said Professor Jeffrey Blumberg, of Tufts Boston University.

Osmotic

Another type of anti-oxidant sold in the market is vitamin E.

There are studies that say vitamin A may weaken bones (Photo: BBC)

But an American scientist warned not to drink on an empty stomach because vitamin E may not penetrate into the blood well if there is no fat in the stomach.

A new study by King's College London, conducted for Horizon, shows some surprising results.

The researchers tried a vitamin that contained a little fat, and found that the vitamin could be absorbed into the blood.

Although scientists disagree, taking vitamin C and E actually reduces the risk of incurable disease, but most say high doses, even higher than permitted, are relatively safe. all.

But in recent years there has been some evidence that vitamin A may be harmful, even if taken in low doses.

Researchers found that taking long-term vitamin A at twice the amount allowed (from food or medication), could weaken the bones, making it easier to crack.