The vitamin paradox: Nutrients in food are healthier than those in pills (2/2)

Two other medical reports released last month examined vitamins D and E. The vitamin D study, published in The Archives of Internal Medicine, found that it did not slow bone loss in older African-American women, as had been predicted. And the vitamin E report, appearing in The Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded that for most women, large doses of vitamin E do nothing to prevent heart problems. Still, even the president of the American Heart Association acknowledges just how seductive the healing promise of vitamins can be. Dr. Robert H. Eckel, of the University of Colorado, said he took vitamin E for a couple of years, based on those early reports hailing its disease-fighting properties. But when the more elaborate research results emerged: ''I finally looked at the evidence and said, gee, this isn't worth taking." Healthy Diet & Active Lifestyle Combined is the Best Path to Fitness Of course, plenty of people remain devoted to their vitamins. And the studies debunking the disease-preventing powers of vitamins have come under steady attack, both from the supplement industry and from vitamins aficionados. The Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, an industry-backed advocacy coalition, regularly assails studies critical of vitamins, arguing that the science is faulty and that it is tantamount to fear-mongering. For comment, the alliance provided Maret Traber, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at Oregon State University, agreed that a healthy diet combined with an active lifestyle is the best path to fitness. ''We know nutrition and exercise are critical for good health, but we're ignoring it," said Traber, ''It's always easier to sit in front of the couch and eat Doritos than it is to go for a jog. Everybody is lazy." Source: www.nytimes.com by Stephen Smith