Multi Vitamins cause Breast Cancer
Article in the New Zealand Herald - 19 April 2010
In an article published in the Herald News today under the sensational headline “Major research finds link between multi-vitamin pills and breast cancer” the Herald News reported that “Women who regularly take multi-vitamin pills face a much higher risk of breast cancer”. We see this report as a fear-mongering tactic of mainstream media utilising science as a drawing card for increasing readership by creating mass panic.
Since the “Democratic watchdog” often lacks its own supervisory body to overlook its potentially harmful and misleading reporting, this is just another example how innocent bystanders are the victims of such scaremongering tactics.0
The conclusions the researchers reached following this 10 year study are not as clear cut as the headline may imply. The study’s’ researchers raised their concerns around supplementation, specifically stating that the vitamin Folic acid may act as a growth promoter. It is important to remember that the NZ natural health industry abides by the NZ 1981 Health Regulations that limit the amount of folic acid in all dietary supplements to no more than 300 micrograms, which is below the current NZ Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of 400mcg. Encapsulated folic acid with more than 300mcg can only be purchased over the counter at pharmacies.
It is worth recalling that the natural health industry strongly opposed the government’s proposal in mid 2009 for compulsory addition of folic acid to all commercial bread-making in NZ, seeing such a move as illegal massmedication. Studies such as this only reinforce this stance.
Finally, the researchers themselves “stressed that the risks to women on an individual basis remain small, and a vast majority of multi-vitamin users will not develop cancer”. The researchers themselves concluded that: “more in-depth investigation was needed”
All in all, we must see this report in its current context in time. Most of you have undoubtedly heard that a consultation document to regulate natural products was recently released in response to the Natural Products industry and consumer call for a stand alone New Zealand regulatory model for Natural Products.
We were expecting the discussion document to be based upon the proposed Natural and Traditional Health Products Bill that was prepared in full consultation with Maoridom, Consumers, the NZ Health Trust, and the Natural Health Products Industry over a two year period. Unfortunately the MoH Consultation Document is diametrically opposed to most of the principals outlined in the proposed Bill and has aptly been labeled the 'TGA in drag'.
As members of the public and members of the dietary supplement industry rally together to oppose another attempt of the government to impose rules and regulations that align with the ANZTPA trans-tasman agreement, we see such mass media provocations as another attempt of the opposition to shade the positive and beneficial role dietary supplements play in many peoples lives.