The Natural Products Association (NPA) represents the industry of dietary supplements. They have over 2,000 members, many of whom are retailers or suppliers of vitamins and prostate supplements.
The NPA was recently up in arms over a review which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. This review suggested that multi-vitamins have no particular part to play in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or mortality from those conditions in adults who are healthy.
Cara Welch from the NPA doesn’t agree with these statements and issued her own statement pointing out the flaws in their analysis. Cara believes that by only researching healthy people, instances for precise use of additional nutrients were avoided. Cara also pointed out that the analysis studies were focused on mineral supplements and vitamins as the sole source of prevention of disease. Cara claims that multi-vitamins dietary supplements need to be taken in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, for optimal effects on diseases of a chronic nature. She finishes her statement urging consumers of vitamins and supplements not to be concerned by this analysis.
John Shaw, Executive Director & CEO at NPA also had something to say on this analysis. Pointing out that more than 150 million Americans are taking multi-vitamins on a regular basis, he went on to say that research has shown that consumers of multivitamins do receive a benefit if the supplements are consumed in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle, and people are exercising regularly.
He goes onto say that consumers should feel comfortable participating with an array of health-forming habits, and as usual, recommends that all consumers discuss any supplements they wish to take with a health care professional.