Page 17 - Boca Club News - February '23

Boca Club News, Page 17
Medical Matters: Medical Myths, Reviewed and Updated

By Richard Nagler, M.D., a member in ample amounts in the diets of reasonably well nourished and other osteoporosis medications. Based upon these facts,
of Broken Sound Club and retired people; such as is the case with the vast majority of our citizens. taking Vitamin D supplements is no longer recommended for
physician. After graduating from the As a matter of fact, in 4 % of our population there is a risk of otherwise healthy persons. It should be noted that there is
University of Pennsylvania and New sudden death and an acceleration of heart disease and cancer potential danger in taking too much of the vitamin. Nausea,
York University’s School of Medicine, from these pills. In addition, many of these supplements may vomiting, polyria, polydypsia, weakness, fatigue, somnolence,
Dr. Nagler served his internship and interfere with prescription medications and render them less vertigo, loss of balance and multiple calcifications, especially
residency at Baltimore City Hospital effective and cause undesirable side effects, which can lead in the kidneys with kidney stones producing great pain and
and Johns Hopkins. He followed that to such serious consequences as reduced bone density, liver kidney damage.
with a Fellowship in Gastroenterology toxicity, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney dysfunction and Myth: Young healthy people who follow highly
at Yale University School of Medicine, and was then Chief kidney stones. Furthermore, there’s no guarantee of the quality, nutritious diets supplemented with vitamins, minerals
of Gastroenterology at Fitzimmons General Army Hospital efficacy or safety of these FDA unregulated products. The only and herbal supplements are relatively immune from
in Denver. He returned to the Yale Medical School for one possible justification for taking any of these supplements is serious consequences of viral infections such as the Flu
year as an Assistant Professor of Medicine before opening limited to those who consistently maintain an unhealthy diet. and COVID. Actually, when contracting these infections it
his own successful private practice in Internal Medicine Myth: Vitamin D supplements are important and is the young who have a much a more robust natural immune
and Gastroenterology. During that time, he also served for necessary, especially for seniors. This is a multi-billion dollar system that protects them, not the supplements. Nevertheless,
ten years as Chief of Medicine at Huntington Hospital in pharmaceutical bonanza. Although with sun exposure Vitamin all persons with rare exceptions should be vaccinated.
Huntington, N.Y. D is produced in the skin, it is true that with the widespread Myth: Until recently, medical experts strongly advised
Americans are exposed to relentless advertising from the use of sunscreens some of it is blocked. However, eating such against eating eggs as the yolks contain large amounts of
media with misinformation and unproven claims of benefits fish as salmon, sword fish, sardines and tuna, as well as whole cholesterol, which poses a significant risk for heart disease
involving multivitamins and the individual vitamins A, B C, D, eggs, fortified milk, dairy products and fortified orange juice, and strokes. It was recommended that consumers limit
E, and K, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, one is provided with good sources of the vitamin more than their consumption of eggs to egg whites and egg beaters.
selenium, zinc, beta carotene, vitamin E and fish oils. There is no sufficient to maintain normal levels. That has changed, with numerous clinical studies showing that
evidence that any of these supplements can prevent or lower the Vitamin D supplements are not nearly as effective as consuming 2 eggs daily doesn’t raise cholesterol levels in the
risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and stroke. Nevertheless, maintaining a good nutritious diet. Until recently, alleged blood and poses no risks. Eggs are a remarkable natural source
millions of people continue to take them ignoring the facts or benefits of Vitamin D have included helping fight a wide of nutrition. Egg whites consist of 90% water and 10% protein,
disbelieving them, often avowing “what harm can it do?” Indeed, variety of diseases involved with ageing. However, in a recent including all of the essential amino acids. But it is the yolk that
there is the potential for considerable harm. report of a 5-year double-blind study in the New England contains the main sources of 13 essential vitamins, minerals,
Myth: Supplements are important to maintain good Journal of Medicine involving 25,000 men aged 50 and older omega fatty acids, antioxidants and some protein that account
health. In the United States, over 40% of the population and women aged 55 and older who either took Vitamin D for a substantial amount of our daily requirements of these
takes multi-vitamins, individual vitamins, fish oils, minerals supplements or a placebo, there was no evidence of any health essential nutrients. However, it is important to recognize that
and other herbal supplements which translate into 15 billion benefits. Vitamin D supplements did not prevent cancer nor adding butter, cheese, bacon and ham is to be avoided as they
dollars in annual sales. The reason for this is mainly the result cardiovascular disease, nor did they prevent falls, fractures, increase cholesterol in the blood. It is much better to use olive,
of heavy advertising, with unsubstantiated claims usually by improve cognitive function, reduce atrial fibrillation, change canola or vegetable oils in preparation. In addition, eggs can be
paid actors from an unregulated industry that these ingredients body composition, improve stroke outcomes, protect against contaminated with a dangerous bacterium, Salmonella, so one
are beneficial when in fact there is no scientific evidence to macular degeneration nor reduce knee pain. Participants did must maintain good hygiene storing eggs in the refrigerator
support that they have any positive effect on the development not live longer. Regarding osteoporosis and bone fractures, and cooking them thoroughly.
or prevention of arteriosclerosis, dementia, cancer, diabetes almost all participants in the study had adequate levels of Myth: Anti-virals cure the Flu and COVID. While
and the ageing process. Vitamin D as measured by new standards of normal, which effective in shortening the duration of the Flu if given early in
Unfortunately, preconceived ideas, prejudices and are now valued as lower than previously established. the onset of symptoms, Tamiflu and others are not cures and
misinformation amongst the public of the benefits of these Taking supplements conveyed no benefits. Although may be completely useless in some strains. The best approach
supplements ignore evidence to the contrary. The fact is that there is no evidence that Vitamin D supplements will is the Flu vaccine to prevent the disease with a 30-60 percent
the optimal source of these anti-oxidants, multi-vitamins and prevent osteoporosis, experts advise persons with existing
minerals which are an important part of overall health is found osteoporosis or osteopenia to take the vitamin with calcium Medical Matters on page 18

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