| Taking too many vitamins and mineral | | | | children and the elderly. The EVM does accept |
| supplements could prove harmful. A new study in | | | | that particular supplements are advantageous for |
| the UK found that vitamins and minerals, while | | | | specific people, such as folic acid for pregnant |
| helpful for certain groups, can be dangerous for | | | | women and those of child-bearing age, and |
| the average person that is eating a healthy, | | | | vitamin drops of A, C and D for children six |
| regular diet. | | | | months to two years. Yet, they are undecided as |
| Studies have shown that taking more than 1,000 | | | | to whether most people need high levels of |
| milligrams a day of vitamin C could lead to | | | | dietary supplements and recommend that eating |
| stomach issues, while a high level of vitamin B6 | | | | a diet of whole, balanced foods would be the best |
| has been connected to loss of balance, memory | | | | choice for consuming the recommended levels |
| loss and even nerve damage. Experts have also | | | | ofmicronutrients. |
| issued warnings on consuming too much | | | | The group has requested regulation on 22 |
| beta-carotene or zinc. | | | | vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, folic |
| Safety recommendations have already been | | | | acid and vitamins B12, D and K, and recommends |
| recommended on vitamins and minerals such as, | | | | a ban on germanium, once hailed as a treatment |
| boron, zinc, silicon, copper, selenium, nickel, | | | | for cancer, but recently linked to nerve, muscle |
| beta-carotene and vitamins B6 and E. There is a | | | | and kidney damage. They are currently seeking |
| plan to create maximum safety levels to be | | | | feedback on their recommendations. |
| posted on supplements, to educate consumers | | | | The Health Supplements Information Service |
| about potential risks. These ideas are being | | | | argues that many studies have proven the |
| discussed with health officials, consumer groups | | | | positive benefits of dietary aids. They also point |
| and manufacturers. Although, most industry | | | | out that the FSA is assuming that the average |
| leaders fail to see the lack of solid evidence and | | | | person is getting an adequate diet, while recent |
| do not agree that there is a noteworthy threat | | | | government study figures show the modern diet |
| to consumers. | | | | is lacking in many vitamins and minerals that are |
| Estimations say that the industry is valued at | | | | important for health, such as selenium, zinc, |
| several hundred million dollars a year and that | | | | magnesium, calcium, iron, folic acid and B vitamins. |
| around 9 million people take supplements on a | | | | They agree that dietary supplements, only one of |
| daily basis. | | | | the various facets of alternative medicine, aren't |
| The FSA's Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals | | | | meant to replace the benefits of whole foods, but |
| (EVM) is asking for proper studies to conclude the | | | | that if used wisely and carefully, they are |
| impact of certain supplements, predominantly on | | | | essential to assuring proper nutrients. |