|
Have you taken your multivitamin today?".
The study, published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada, indicates all women of childbearing age should be taking a prenatal multivitamin every day. Doing so dramatically reduces the incidence of risk of birth defects, such as neural-tube defects, cardiovascular defects, limb deformities, cleft palate, and urinary-tract defects. The research is an analysis of the best studies on the topic from 1996 to 2005.
The research follows a second meta-analysis in the U.S. that concluded diabetics who took dietary supplements significantly reported better health than the previous year without supplements. In addition, the study showed promising evidence that specific supplements, such as magnesium, reduced the relative risk of Type 2 diabetes. Commissioned by the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA), the study was a review of research literature and the International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements database, with an analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
“Research continues to show that multivitamins are a simple, cost-effective way to support improved immune functioning and help prevent chronic disease,” says Bell.
“It's a simple but significant way for Canadians to reduce our health care costs,” she says. A growing body of economic studies in Canada and the U.S. proves that increased use of natural health products and other OTC self-care products can result in billions of dollars in savings in health care costs.
"Taking a multivitamin could result in significant health care savings and improvements in individual health for just pennies a day,” Bell concludes.
Back to top |
|
