Vitamin Supplements are Bad for You

July 20, 2013 7:30 AM

Dr. Paul Offit, co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, publishes piece documenting over a dozen studies showing no benefit from supplimentary vitamins and in many cases poorer results for the vitamin takers than not.
posted by Cosine (8 comments total)

Well they make you pee more yellow, so there's that.
posted by nathancaswell at 7:44 AM on July 20, 2013

Previously.
posted by seemoreglass at 7:45 AM on July 20, 2013 [1 favorite]

These findings weren't new. Seven previous studies had already shown that vitamins increased the risk of cancer and heart disease and shortened lives. Still, in 2012, more than half of all Americans took some form of vitamin supplements.

The American power of positive thinking and emphasis on self-esteem have never let the facts get in the way.
posted by three blind mice at 7:46 AM on July 20, 2013 [2 favorites]

The American power of positive thinking and emphasis on self-esteem have never let the facts get in the way.

That, and marketing.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:50 AM on July 20, 2013

But two vitamin C pills and my cold, head ache or diarrhea is cured, right?!
posted by Foci for Analysis at 7:56 AM on July 20, 2013

I don't have an educated opinion on whether they're good or bad or neutral or different in different situations, but the final sentence of this article struck me as absurd, and frankly makes me more skeptical of the article than I would have been:

In 1994, Linus Pauling died of prostate cancer.

In 1994, Linus Pauling died of prostate cancer at the age of 93.
posted by Flunkie at 7:57 AM on July 20, 2013 [9 favorites]

I took Vitamin C and my flipper grew back.

I admit to succumbing to the daily multi-vitamin cabal.
posted by arcticseal at 7:59 AM on July 20, 2013 [2 favorites]

Double.
posted by pracowity at 8:00 AM on July 20, 2013