Chapter 14 - Evaluating the efficacy of herbs and supplements Flashcards
Why is advertising treatments bad if they don’t work and they’re not safe.
People waste money. People might get hurt, including when people delay getting effective treatment.
Multivitamins act as ___.
Coenzymes.
What do coenzymes do?
They help chemical reactions occur.
What is a vitamin?
An organic molecule that the body cannot make itself.
What were multivitamins intended for originally?
To supplement dietary vitamins and minerals.
What percent of the population uses vitamins?
25% to 50%
Four general classes of multivitamins
- RDA multivitamins
- RDA multivitamins/minerals
- High potency formulas.
- Specialty formulas for specific conditions.
What do experts recommend?
Eat right and take a multivitamin daily, based on the health benefits of folic acid for birth defects and Vitamin D and calcium for prevention of osteoporosis.
What is the rationale behind thinking that vitamins might held a wide variety of conditions?
Many chronic diseases have risk factors that relate to oxidative damages and inflammation. Some vitamins are antioxidants. In vitro studies show favourable effects.
Do multivitamins decrease the risk of cancer?
Maybe in some groups but in general they do not.
Do multivitamins decrease the risk of stroke?
No.
Do multivitamins decrease the risk of death?
No.
Do multivitamins decrease the risk of heart attack?
No.
When multivitamins do have benefits, where are they coming from?
Particular components of the multivitamin. Specific vitamins.
Do multivitamins prevent cancer, heart attack or other ailments in heathy people?
No.
