14 DAY TRIAL // Today’s society has taught us that we must live our lives against the clock, a prerequisite we’re more than happy to oblige, even if it means a less healthier us. At the same time, we have learned to supplement for everything with vitamin pills, hoping that they are, in some twisted way, our ticket to a lengthier, disease-free life. Not quite so, a new study says: vitamins do not prevent cancer or heart disease, and are practically useless if not accompanied by other methods of keeping healthy.
Given the boost in sales that vitamin pills have recently received, many have started to attribute “miracle” properties to them, such as the ability to prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as to guarantee more years of life, the new study reveals. Contrarily, it is being said, the only protective effect that vitamin supplements may have kicks in only when the person is question is also taking other steps to ensure a healthier life, such as a balanced diet, working out, and not smoking or drinking. On their own, these pills are just a “waste of time,” the study shows.
The findings of this latest study come to confirm those of a previous one, in which researchers from New York combined data from two Women’s Health Initiative trials on 161,808 post-menopausal females aged 50 to 79 years. The risk of developing breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, bladder, stomach, ovary, or lung cancers was in no way lowered by long-term vitamin use, it has been shown. Moreover, there was no link between taking vitamin pills and heart disease and death, in that it neither lowered nor increased the risk for both.
The conclusion is that simply taking pills will not work wonders in our body, with us doing absolutely nothing to change at least some of our daily bad habits. Doctors agree that, while taking supplements is a good idea in case bad eating habits are an issue, abusing them will definitely not have the results we’re hoping for. Moderation and finding balance are the two key elements for a healthier life, they also admit.
“Vitamins and minerals are not intended to be used like drugs. Both cancer and heart disease are conditions with multiple causes such as genetics, smoking, obesity and diet, so it is unlikely that simply taking a multi-vitamin supplement would prevent them. But a multi-vitamin, for instance, could be the answer for someone leading a hectic, busy lifestyle, where meals are skipped or taken on the run.” Dr. Ruxton explains for the Daily Mail.