Chiropractic Economics Blog

Sometimes I am ashamed of my fellow journalists. Case in point: A cover headline in the November issue of The Reader’s Digest that reads, “The Vitamin Hoax: 10 Not to Take.”

Scare tactics. The article is written to sell magazines, not to inform the public about vitamins.

The Readers Digest is the most widely read publication in the United States. Most assuredly, a good number of your patients will have read that article — and some of them might ask you about it.

I can “hear” some of their questions based on this single article:

“Doctor, is it true that antioxidants such as vitamins A, beta carotene, E, and C can increase the risk of dying? Should I not take them?”

“Should I take a multivitamin, or am I throwing my money away? Will it increase my chance of getting prostate cancer?”

“Does vitamin C help ward off colds? The Readers Digest article said it offered little protection.”

“How much is too much? What happens if I take more than the RDA of some vitamins? Can too many vitamins hurt me?”

“How can I be sure that the vitamins I am taking have pure ingredients?”

“Which vitamins should I take? Are there some I should stay away from?”

A few years ago, I sat in on a teleconference on understanding research studies, conducted by Anthony Rosner, PhD, who was then director of research and education with the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER). I no longer have the notes I took, but I remember Dr. Rosner cautioning participants to not accept all research findings blindly, but to look at how the research was done. Some research, unfortunately, is biased, just as some writers (and their writing) are biased.

In the case of this article, I would recommend you read it yourself to decide if it is biased against vitamins. Then, I would suggest you brush up on the facts about supplements, including reviewing the latest research (including the studies cited by the Readers Digest). Keep in mind, though, Dr. Rosner’s advice on looking at the construction of the research studies.

It is unfortunate that the Readers Digest would revert to scare tactics to draw readers in. On the other hand, perhaps this is an opportunity to turn a “sow’s ear into a silk purse,” as the saying goes. Arm yourself with the facts and be prepared to answer questions — or even to bring up the subject of the Readers Digest article yourself, especially if you carry nutritional products and recommend them to your patients.

Until next time.