The new report that finds that antioxidant vitamins do not reduce pregnancy-related high blood pressure, and may in fact increase the risks, is no surprise to us at ACSH. We have been skeptical about inflated and one-sided anti-oxidant claims.
And it may surprise many that evidence suggests that vitamins can sometimes actually be dangerous.
Almost two years ago, I wrote that "a study published in the July 2004 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, tells us that multi-vitamin use within the first six months of life is associated with a higher risk for asthma in black infants. It also found that vitamin use at age three was associated with an increased risk for food allergies." That came on the heels of a May 2004 report that antioxidant vitamins may sometimes be harmful for the heart. And a June 2004 report that suggested a link between vitamin C and arthritis.
If this study had found that it was eating French fries rather than taking vitamins in pregnancy that failed to prevent disease and might increase risks, this would be headline news, activists would harp, and lawsuits would follow.
Why does the precautionary principle apply to foods and chemicals but not to vitamins?
Jeff Stier, Esq., is an associate director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com).
