Do we really need vitamin pills?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Nutritional experts say that all the vitamins we need are in our regular food. But, industrial nutritional supplement companies tell fascinating stories about how foods lack essential micronutrients and nutritional supplements are the only salvation. Fortunately, after a lot of research, this debate is now over and you can find out the whole truth.

On October 10, 2011, an experiment at the University of Minnesota ended, as a result of which it was found that women who took a multivitamin had a greater risk of death than those who did not. Two days later, researchers at a clinic in Cleveland found that men who took extra vitamin E had an increased risk of prostate cancer. Tough week for vitamins, isn't it?

These results were nothing new. Seven previous studies have shown that vitamin supplementation increases the risk of cancer and heart disease. However, in 2012, more than half of the American population was taking dietary supplements. However, one person could still have an impact on vitamin addiction worldwide.

Linus Pauling, born in 1901, is the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Peace Prize, which makes his research in the field of vitamins significant. It is unlikely that he is known to ordinary people, but it was he who popularized vitamin C. Believing that he had discovered an incredible cure for all diseases, Linus Pauling began to take vitamin C daily. At first 3000 milligrams, then he increased this dose 10 times, then 20 times. In his interview, he said: “I feel much better. It seems to me that I have become alive and healthy again”. In 1970, Pauling published a piece urging the public to take at least 3,000 mg of vitamin C daily, about 50 times the daily requirement. Pauling believed that such an amount of vitamin C strengthens the immune system so much that in a few years the common cold will become only a historical fact.

In 1971 Pauling's book titled "Vitamin C. Colds and Flu" was published, which is sold in millions of copies. Sales of vitamin C are growing by two, then three, then four times. Pharmacies can't keep up with demand. By the mid-1970s, approximately 50 million Americans are following Pauling's advice on vitamin C.

Naturally, the rest of the scientists were not enthusiastic about Pauling's enchanting ideas, however, their refutations and articles did not have a special effect on vitamin addiction. And although research by independent scientists showed the absurdity and stupidity of Pauling's idea, he refused to believe it and continued to promote vitamin C in his speeches, books and articles. When one day, Pauling appeared in public with obvious symptoms of a cold, he said that he suffered from allergies.

And there was a turning point. Linus Pauling upped the ante. He argued that vitamin C can not only prevent colds - it can heal cancer. Plus, it can increase life expectancy to 110, and possibly 150 years.

Cancer patients began to hope for their recovery. More and more people wished to participate in Pauling's experiment. In his experiments, Pauling gave cancer patients ultra-high doses of vitamin C. Again, independent experiments showing that vitamin C did not cure cancer did not catch on, while Pauling continued his research.

Pauling moved on. He began to argue that vitamin C, when taken with large doses of vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium and beta-carotene, can cure almost all diseases known to mankind. In 1994, research began. 30,000 men who were long-term smokers and had an increased risk of lung cancer were given vitamin A and beta-carotene. At the end of the experiment, the results were disappointing: those men who took high doses of vitamin A and beta-carotene developed cancer and heart disease 27% more often than those who did not take vitamins.

In 2007, researchers at the National Cancer Institute looked at 11,000 men who took and did not take a multivitamin. Those who took the multivitamin were twice as likely to die from cancer.

On October 10, 2011, researchers at the University of Minnesota evaluated 40,000 older men and women and found that those who took the supplemental multivitamin had a higher mortality rate. There is little reason for taking nutritional supplements, right?

In May 1980, during an interview, Linus Pauling was asked, "Does vitamin C have any limitations or side effects in long-term use?" Pauling's answer was firm and confident: "No!"

Seven months later, his wife died of stomach cancer, and in 1994 Linus Pauling died of prostate cancer. Coincidence?