Vitamins

An informative look at recent Holistic Fitness News

DR KAPLAN'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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It's not often that the word vitamins appears in the headline on the front page of a major British daily newspaper. Yet this happened on Friday when the Daily Mail splashed the following announcement in huge capitals on its front page: VITAMIN PILLS 'ARE USELESS' As literally millions of pounds are spent on vitamins by the British people, I think it's necessary for me to respond in this column.

The dramatic headline is misleading, though the study on which it is 'based' looks like the genuine article. Let me explain. A study was conducted at Oxford University using a sample of 20 000 people between the ages of 40 and 80 - all at a higher risk of heart disease (for various reasons) than the general public.

Half of the people were given placebo (non-medicated tablets) and the other half were given some selected vitamins. These were two daily doses of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Beta carotene. Nobody knew if they were taking the vitamins or the dummy tablets. This is the essence of what we call in medicine, a double blind study.

The results showed that the people taking those particular vitamins were no better off with regard to heart disease, stroke, lung disease or even eye and bone problems than those not taking vitamin supplements. Now this is a significant finding but it certainly does NOT prove that all vitamin supplementation is a waste of time.

My personal view is that many people do indeed waste significant amounts of money on unnecessary vitamin supplementation when the main effect on their health is to produce expensive, golden urine. However I would still like to make a case for taking one good quality multivitamin/mineral tablet three times a week. It's good to choose one with a large variety of minerals and vitamins - all in small quantities. Once again you are likely to urinate most of the stuff out as your daily diet probably provides you with most of what you need. Still there is the possibility that if you are a little low in say, Magnesium or Zinc or any of the vitamins, this wide spectrum supplement could just top up something you are slightly lacking in. Three times a week is probably enough for this purpose and is hardly going to cost you much as a bottle of 90 tablets is going to last you longer than 6 months. I won't advocate any brand other than to say that you should choose one with a very large variety of vitamins and minerals.

Returning to the theme of the health benefits of laughter. I'd like to remind you that I'm using the mnemonic S M I L E so that you can memorise all the health benefits of laughter.

S is for Stress Release

M is for Muscular Relaxation

I is for Increased Immunity.
The blood contains white cells that are known as the 'soldiers' of the body in that they go everywhere fighting infection and disposing of viruses, bacteria and unhealthy cells and tissue. Specifically these cells are known as immunoglobulins of which there are various types. Immunoglobulin A (iga), igg and igm have all shown to be increased by a good laugh. So regular laughter may well protect us from infections, colds and even more serious diseases.

L is for healthy Lungs
When we exhale, we only expel about 80% of the air in our lungs. The remaining 20% of older air is known as the residual volume. However when we laugh, most of the residual volume is expelled, allowing more fresh air into the lungs.

So remember: Take life too seriously and you may end up with a serious disease. More scientifically proven benefits of laughter next week when E stands for healthy Endorphins and Encaphalins, the chemicals in the body that give you a 'natural high'.

Homeopathic Tip of the Week

Here is one for the Summer Holidays
For insect bites that are irritating you or causing some minor inflammation, use the homeopathic remedy, LEDUM 6c. It is easily available at most places selling homeopathic remedies and a tablet three times a day for a few days is an acceptable homeopathic treatment for this problem.

Dr Brian Kaplan MBBCh MFHom www.drkaplan.co.uk