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.
Specific groups of people ___ from vitamins.
may benefit.
Natural sources of vitamin C
Fruits and some vegetables.
Scurvy
Connective tissues start to get soft so your teeth fall out. You also get bruising. Can cause death.
How do you prevent scurvy?
With vitamin C
What would a RR = 1.05 mean?
A 5% increased risk of death.
Does vitamin E protect against prostate cancer?
No.
Does vitamin E protect against CV disease?
No.
What is chondroitin thought to do?
Lessen arthritis pain.
Combined therapy of chondroitin and glucosamine appear to be…
beneficial in patients with moderate to severe pain.
Is folic acid effective for?
Helping the development of a fetus.
Is folic acid effective for preventing CV disease?
No.
How do you decide whether to believe the claims for supplements?
Look for the most reliable scientific evidence, such as Cochrane reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
