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VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS NOT ANSWER

People hoping vitamins can protect their hearts need to eat healthy foods instead of popping pills, said the American Heart Association. A review of studies on whether supplements can reduce heart disease risk shows they have virtually no effect, the group said.

“At this time, there is little reason to advice that individuals take antioxidant supplements to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Penny Kris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University who led the study.

Antioxidants are molecules that work to reduce the damage done to cell and to DNA by free radicals – charged chemical particles found in the environment and caused by everyday biological processes.

It is clear that foods rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and scientists have been working to isolate the particular compounds responsible. Vitamins A and C are antioxidants.

But several studies have shown that people who took antioxidant supplements did not have a lower risk of cancer or heart disease, and one study showed that male smokers who took supplements actually had a higher risk.

“The American Heart Association continues to promote a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish,legumes, poultry and lean meats to derive antioxidant vitamin benefits,” the group said.

C1 : AGRO INFO 001

Source : Reuters, in News Straits Times, 5th August 2004