Vitamin Makeover

Confused baby boomers concocting ‘vitamin cocktails’ but may be missing important disease prevention needs

Canadians urged to put down their ‘vitamin cocktails’ and make over their vitamin cabinets

Core News Facts:
It happens every few months; a study touting the health benefits of a single nutrient creates headlines across the country and a new “wonder remedy” is born with many Canadians eagerly following the trend.

A recent survey found that while nearly half of Canadians understand that vitamin and mineral supplements may help protect against chronic diseases, they are confused about which vitamins, minerals and supplements are best for them.

This confusion is leading many Canadians to become ‘Vitamin Cocktailers,’ or those who take a combination of vitamin and mineral supplements. These vitamin cocktails however, may not meet the overall vitamin and mineral needs of Canadians – they may be taking too much of some nutrients and not enough of others. Some health-conscious Canadians may be surprised to know that when it comes to vitamin and mineral supplements, more isn’t necessarily better.

Baby boomers are particularly prone to mixing their single supplements, with one third of Canadians 50 years and older combining vitamins on a regular basis.
A recent survey found that more than three-quarters of Canadian baby boomers are concerned that chronic diseases could impact their future and are interested in taking steps to protect their health. Nearly half of Canadians take various vitamin and mineral supplements to support their health and prevent disease, but many don’t know if what they are taking is correct.
A review article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that most people are not getting the nutrients they need from their diet, and that poor vitamin intake can be a risk factor for chronic illness.

Registered dietitian, Hélène Charlebois recommends that instead of mixing ‘vitamin cocktails,’ Canadian adults choose a multivitamin specially formulated to help protect against chronic diseases, like Centrum AdvantageÒ. A multivitamin with higher levels of key nutrients should be the foundation of every Canadian baby boomer’s vitamin regime.

Attributable Quotes

Hélène Charlebois, Registered Dietitian, Ottawa, Ontario

A Vitamin Cocktailer is a person that will take single supplements and put them all together to benefit their own health. But sometimes this can be challenging because there’s a lot of confusing information, and they may have a nutrient/drug interaction. So I do caution against that.

When shopping around for a good multivitamin, I suggest baby boomers look for one with higher levels of key nutrients that help prevent certain diseases. For example, to prevent cardiovascular disease look for folic acid and the B-vitamins; for osteoporosis, look for calcium and vitamin D; for certain cancers, all the antioxidants are important and for macular degeneration lycopene and lutein are important.

Dr. Jeffery Blumberg, Professor of Nutrition, Tufts University, Boston, MA

A properly formulated multivitamin provides the exact balance you need to meet your vitamin and mineral requirements. It’s a wonderful foundation for any supplement regiment.

Studies have shown that people who take multivitamins are at a reduced risk for a number of chronic diseases including some forms of cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis leading to fractures.

About the Vitamin Makeover

Helen Charlebois and dietitians from across Canada are asking self-proclaimed “Vitamin Cocktailers” to have a critical look at their vitamin routine and urging them to make informed choices about the vitamin and supplements they take and in what amounts. At www.vitaminmakeover.ca, people can learn the facts about vitamin and minerals and use the tools and resources that can help them simplify their vitamin routine.

About Wyeth Consumer Healthcare

Wyeth Consumer Healthcare Inc.
Wyeth Consumer Healthcare Inc. is a leading Canadian provider of non-prescription pharmaceutical products that manufactures quality nutritional supplements, including Canada’s top selling multivitamin brand, CentrumÒ. Wyeth Consumer Healthcare is committed to reformulating its multivitamins regularly to reflect the latest nutritional science.