Comments on: The Vitamin Controversy http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/ Dr. Jonny Bowden's Blog Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:09:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: James http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-7071 James Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:41:25 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-7071 Chances are the <a href="http://www.algaecal.com" rel="nofollow">calcium supplement</a> you are taking now is a rock source of calcium. The label will say "calcium carbonate", which is nothing more than limestone. AlgaeCal Plus contains an organic, plant-sourced calcium form derived from a unique South American marine algae called Algas Calcareas™. Chances are the calcium supplement you are taking now is a rock source of calcium. The label will say “calcium carbonate”, which is nothing more than limestone. AlgaeCal Plus contains an organic, plant-sourced calcium form derived from a unique South American marine algae called Algas Calcareas™.

]]> By: Dr. Jonny http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-1714 Dr. Jonny Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:14:52 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-1714 Don't know yet. It's one study, and i haven't yet read the details. Was it only calcium? was it calcium with or without vitamin D? with or without magnesium? in what amounts? OVERALL i would say that for a long time I've believed that we emphasize calcium far too much. The calcium "bank account" is as much affected by calcium robbers (like soda) as it is by "deposits". I also like the 1:1 ratio (or at absolute most, 2:1) ratio for calcium and magnesium, which many people do not do. (Remember, magnesium is one of the most important supplements for heart health.) And i also think- in a general sense- that with all the dairy we consume many people get much more calcium than they realize. all in all, I haven't formed an opinion yet, but once i know all the facts i will let you know my thoughts warmly jb Don’t know yet. It’s one study, and i haven’t yet read the details. Was it only calcium? was it calcium with or without vitamin D? with or without magnesium? in what amounts?

OVERALL i would say that for a long time I’ve believed that we emphasize calcium far too much. The calcium “bank account” is as much affected by calcium robbers (like soda) as it is by “deposits”. I also like the 1:1 ratio (or at absolute most, 2:1) ratio for calcium and magnesium, which many people do not do. (Remember, magnesium is one of the most important supplements for heart health.) And i also think- in a general sense- that with all the dairy we consume many people get much more calcium than they realize.

all in all, I haven’t formed an opinion yet, but once i know all the facts i will let you know my thoughts

warmly
jb

]]> By: Jeff J. http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-1713 Jeff J. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:11:51 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-1713 I wonder what Jonny's take is on the recent controversy over the link between calcium supplements and increased risk of heart disease. I was taking a calcium/magnesium supplement, but I was thinking of switching to straight magnesium. I wonder what Jonny’s take is on the recent controversy over the link between calcium supplements and increased risk of heart disease. I was taking a calcium/magnesium supplement, but I was thinking of switching to straight magnesium.

]]> By: Natalie http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-1711 Natalie Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:22:18 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-1711 So I really enjoyed the article and think its important that people do understand that there are benefits to taking vitamins/supplements but that there are also risks of complications due to interactions with prescription drugs which may have impacted the decision by the author at Slate to write the article. Just guessing though. As a scientists myself and daily vitamin taker I think its critical for society to understand that all research has unbiased intentions but since we are mere humans there is inevitable subconscious motives that can alter the outcome in some small way of research. Often times writers get pulled into this and emphasize small details of a large research project and it doesn't accurately display the results of the research in an appropriate manner. That said, I think the Slate writer may have been on to something with the "one a day" thing since those vitamins are definitely not the quality that other companies provide and when vitamins are concerned, quality can be essential for maximal absorption by the body. So perhaps that one writer may have been using that information to fuel the fire for the argument, who knows? but I wouldn't doubt the accuracy seeing that the specific brand is not highly reputable, just highly marketed. Even with the highest quality vitamin, some bodies are deficient at getting the nutrients to the important areas and utilizing the necessary vitamins to aid in important biological functions. This is called aging. Its inevitable. So conclusions from studies done on vitamins are very subjective to the consumer. So I really enjoyed the article and think its important that people do understand that there are benefits to taking vitamins/supplements but that there are also risks of complications due to interactions with prescription drugs which may have impacted the decision by the author at Slate to write the article. Just guessing though. As a scientists myself and daily vitamin taker I think its critical for society to understand that all research has unbiased intentions but since we are mere humans there is inevitable subconscious motives that can alter the outcome in some small way of research. Often times writers get pulled into this and emphasize small details of a large research project and it doesn’t accurately display the results of the research in an appropriate manner.
That said, I think the Slate writer may have been on to something with the “one a day” thing since those vitamins are definitely not the quality that other companies provide and when vitamins are concerned, quality can be essential for maximal absorption by the body. So perhaps that one writer may have been using that information to fuel the fire for the argument, who knows? but I wouldn’t doubt the accuracy seeing that the specific brand is not highly reputable, just highly marketed.

Even with the highest quality vitamin, some bodies are deficient at getting the nutrients to the important areas and utilizing the necessary vitamins to aid in important biological functions. This is called aging. Its inevitable. So conclusions from studies done on vitamins are very subjective to the consumer.

]]> By: Chicago Blues CD http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-1086 Chicago Blues CD Thu, 03 Jun 2010 08:25:16 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-1086 I admit, I haven't been on this webpage in a long time... however it had been an additional pleasure to see It is this kind of an important topic and ignored by so numerous, even professionals. I thank you to assist making people a lot more conscious of possible issueGreat stuff as usual... I admit, I haven’t been on this webpage in a long time… however it had been an additional pleasure to see It is this kind of an important topic and ignored by so numerous, even professionals. I thank you to assist making people a lot more conscious of possible issueGreat stuff as usual…

]]> By: Audio Power Amplifier http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-1053 Audio Power Amplifier Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:27:48 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-1053 Took me time to read all of the comments, but I really loved the post. It proved to be really useful to me and I'm certain to all of the commenters here! It's usually nice when you cannot only be informed, but additionally engaged! I am sure you had joy writing this article. Took me time to read all of the comments, but I really loved the post. It proved to be really useful to me and I’m certain to all of the commenters here! It’s usually nice when you cannot only be informed, but additionally engaged! I am sure you had joy writing this article.

]]> By: Just ME in T http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-706 Just ME in T Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:54:37 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-706 Great article thanks very much. I have blogged about the demise of RD - reckon it should come soon if they keep up publishing rubbish like this. http://just-me-in-t.blogspot.com/2010/04/obituary.html Great article thanks very much.

I have blogged about the demise of RD – reckon it should come soon if they keep up publishing rubbish like this.

http://just-me-in-t.blogspot.com/2010/04/obituary.html

]]> By: Before You Buy Omega3 Supplements – Discover the Pros and Cons | Weight Issues http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-618 Before You Buy Omega3 Supplements – Discover the Pros and Cons | Weight Issues Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:50:11 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-618 [...] The Vitamin Controversy [...] [...] The Vitamin Controversy [...]

]]> By: george http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-581 george Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:58:04 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-581 Loved the article/ mentioned in another magazine and how they use their own facts......Latest bs is the cover of Readers Digest. This author is noted for her biased opinions, and then we have all the adds from big "pharma" throughout the magazine.....follow the money ! It was a real shame finding this in Readers Digest though. Loved the article/ mentioned in another magazine and how they use their own facts……Latest bs is the cover of Readers Digest. This author is noted for her biased opinions, and then we have all the adds from big “pharma” throughout the magazine…..follow the money !
It was a real shame finding this in Readers Digest though.

]]> By: Zai http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-484 Zai Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:04:42 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-484 What a reassuring articles. I am slowly researching the use of vitamins/supplements in handling my body processes. Great to read your list of scientific evidence. Furthermore, the foods that we eat nowadays just don't contain the requisite stuff anymore. Thus supplementation is important, in fact, necessary in these times where natural resources are depleted. We may fill stuffed after a meal, but are we stuffed with all the good stuff that our body needs? Highly unlikely unless we are consuming the right vits/minerals. What a reassuring articles. I am slowly researching the use of vitamins/supplements in handling my body processes. Great to read your list of scientific evidence. Furthermore, the foods that we eat nowadays just don’t contain the requisite stuff anymore. Thus supplementation is important, in fact, necessary in these times where natural resources are depleted. We may fill stuffed after a meal, but are we stuffed with all the good stuff that our body needs? Highly unlikely unless we are consuming the right vits/minerals.

]]> By: andrew zubriczky http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-483 andrew zubriczky Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:09:07 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-483 Right on Jonny! It appears that some health writers like some health Dr's actually believe their own advice. That their 'words' are the truth! No, they are not! Words are only the truth if they are the truth. We know the truth, even when we are being bamboozled by bureaucratic buffoonery! Beware of Government and Corporate health propaganda; and the army of health writers, dietitians, researchers, scientists, doctors, nutritionists, and all the other calorie counters out there that have a vested interest, or, a financial interest to promote; especially one, that does not include-your good health! Keep saying it as it is Jonny, your message is getting out there, loud and clear! Thanks, andrew See the difference? Right on Jonny!

It appears that some health writers like some health Dr’s actually believe their own advice. That their ‘words’ are the truth!

No, they are not!

Words are only the truth if they are the truth. We know the truth, even when we are being bamboozled by bureaucratic buffoonery!

Beware of Government and Corporate health propaganda; and the army of health writers, dietitians, researchers, scientists, doctors, nutritionists, and all the other calorie counters out there that have a vested interest, or, a financial interest to promote; especially one, that does not include-your good health!

Keep saying it as it is Jonny, your message is getting out there, loud and clear!

Thanks,

andrew

See the difference?

]]> By: Jen http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-480 Jen Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:30:10 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-480 Christina: I am also a registered nurse and I totally agree with you. I see elderly patients with 20-30 meds when they can barely swallow. I don't doubt that some of their misery is from the prescription drugs thy are taking. When I was on a statin I could barely get out of bed in the morning. I decided to lose 25 pounds instead and have more energy than ever before at age 59. Christina: I am also a registered nurse and I totally agree with you. I see elderly patients with 20-30 meds when they can barely swallow. I don’t doubt that some of their misery is from the prescription drugs thy are taking. When I was on a statin I could barely get out of bed in the morning. I decided to lose 25 pounds instead and have more energy than ever before at age 59.

]]> By: Carole http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-479 Carole Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:25:08 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-479 This debate has gone on forever. The FDAQ has had it out for vitamins as long as I can remember - and I'm getting pretty old! Vitamins helped me stop monthly migraines when I was a teenager. Vitamins have kept my daughter from getting sick this winter. I recommended my pracatices to a friend who's daughter was sick all of the time, and she sailed though her senior year with not one sick day! But - for most people, vitamins by themselves don't work. So there is some truth to the 'dark side.' Taking vitamins in conjunction with a relatively healthy balanced diet works. They're called supplements for a reason. .-= Carole´s last blog ..<a href="http://rebelwithafork.com/blog/julia-and-julia-my-review" rel="nofollow">Julia and Julia This debate has gone on forever. The FDAQ has had it out for vitamins as long as I can remember – and I’m getting pretty old!

Vitamins helped me stop monthly migraines when I was a teenager.

Vitamins have kept my daughter from getting sick this winter. I recommended my pracatices to a friend who’s daughter was sick all of the time, and she sailed though her senior year with not one sick day!

But – for most people, vitamins by themselves don’t work. So there is some truth to the ‘dark side.’

Taking vitamins in conjunction with a relatively healthy balanced diet works.

They’re called supplements for a reason.
.-= Carole´s last blog ..Julia and Julia

]]> By: Christina http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-478 Christina Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:48:31 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-478 I've been a Registered Nurse 10 years + and I don't see my patients getting better. Modern Medicine just "masks" the problem and does not deal with the root of the actual issue. Normal course of treatment is either cut it out or give a pill. I've taken care of elderly patients before who are on 20+ prescription meds. How can that be healthy for the body? It's no wonder the elderly get confused confused and are so sick, yet Dr's keep pushing pill after pill. I'll stick to my whole food vitamins, fish oil, vitamin D and probiotics anyday over the poisin thats prescribe to the general public I’ve been a Registered Nurse 10 years + and I don’t see my patients getting better. Modern Medicine just “masks” the problem and does not deal with the root of the actual issue. Normal course of treatment is either cut it out or give a pill. I’ve taken care of elderly patients before who are on 20+ prescription meds. How can that be healthy for the body? It’s no wonder the elderly get confused confused and are so sick, yet Dr’s keep pushing pill after pill. I’ll stick to my whole food vitamins, fish oil, vitamin D and probiotics anyday over the poisin thats prescribe to the general public

]]> By: Patrick Lynch http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-477 Patrick Lynch Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:26:47 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-477 Thanks for the article. I know vitamin supplements and supplements alone improve health from personal experience. If people want to say supplements are bad, then they should know that ever prescription drug, the idea for it came from nature. And if this is so then why is it supplements are always the bad guy. People need to open their eyes and read a few a books, do their own research and not rely solely on the word of someone else, especially from the article you, Jonny just proved wrong. Thanks for the article. I know vitamin supplements and supplements alone improve health from personal experience. If people want to say supplements are bad, then they should know that ever prescription drug, the idea for it came from nature. And if this is so then why is it supplements are always the bad guy. People need to open their eyes and read a few a books, do their own research and not rely solely on the word of someone else, especially from the article you, Jonny just proved wrong.

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-476 uberVU - social comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:48:41 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-476 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by jonnybowden: New Blog Post on JonnyBowdenBlog.com you can find it here http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by jonnybowden: New Blog Post on JonnyBowdenBlog.com you can find it here http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/...

]]> By: Kalia http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-474 Kalia Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:07:09 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-474 Thanks for the articluate and interesting rebuttal of the blanket condemnation of vitamin supplements. It is a complex subject and we are learning more about the pros and cons every day. Moderation is always wise and that applies to supplementation in most instances. (There are exceptions: For example, Sloan Kettering and other cancer treatment facilities often put their patients on 30,000 units of vitamin D for a week to get their blood levels up and then have them take a much reduced but still substantial daily dose.) Keep us posted as the news develops in this area. Thanks for the articluate and interesting rebuttal of the blanket condemnation of vitamin supplements. It is a complex subject and we are learning more about the pros and cons every day. Moderation is always wise and that applies to supplementation in most instances. (There are exceptions: For example, Sloan Kettering and other cancer treatment facilities often put their patients on 30,000 units of vitamin D for a week to get their blood levels up and then have them take a much reduced but still substantial daily dose.) Keep us posted as the news develops in this area.

]]> By: Jennifer Eloff http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-472 Jennifer Eloff Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:21:33 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-472 Happy you debunked that (vitamin/mineral junkie here). :-) Happy you debunked that (vitamin/mineral junkie here). :-)

]]> By: Jane R. http://jonnybowdenblog.com/the-vitamin-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-471 Jane R. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:40:39 +0000 http://jonnybowdenblog.com/?p=676#comment-471 Thank you, Jonny, for this article about the vitamins. I have been an advocate for supplements for years and get so tired of my medical doctors telling me I am wasting my money. I refuse to take the many medications that the doctors try to push on the elderly. . .I'm 66 soon to be 67 in the spring. . . and still work full time. I will continue to keep taking supplements as long as our government don't knuckle under to the pressure from big Pharma and outlaw them! Please keep up the good work! Thank you, Jonny, for this article about the vitamins. I have been an advocate for supplements for years and get so tired of my medical doctors telling me I am wasting my money. I refuse to take the many medications that the doctors try to push on the elderly. . .I’m 66 soon to be 67 in the spring. . . and still work full time. I will continue to keep taking supplements as long as our government don’t knuckle under to the pressure from big Pharma and outlaw them! Please keep up the good work!

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