MEDIA RELEASE

28 October 2009

Sensible use of dietary supplements improves health

The use of dietary supplements in recommended amounts has been proven to assist people maintain good health by

providing nutrients that modern diets may lack.

Recent media reports have suggested that taking vitamins can endanger your health and have even compared it with

the dangers of passive smoking.

“These reports are based on a widely discredited study from the Cochrane Collaboration,” says Dr Shaun Holt

medical researcher and general practitioner. “Upon release of the study last year, it was discovered that researchers

appeared to select papers and undertake analyses in order to demonstrate a predetermined conclusion.”

TV3’s Inside New Zealand documentary cites incidences of subjects who go ‘cold turkey’ by stopping their regular

dose of vitamin supplements and the apparent detrimental effects which follow.

“There is absolutely no scientific methodology associated with asking eight individuals to suspend their use of

supplements for six weeks and interviewing them about how they feel,” continues Dr Holt.

“Additionally, there is a growing body of international evidence which continually proves the efficacy of dietary

supplements such as Omega 3 fish oil, selenium, which is notably low in New Zealand soil and recognised for its

antioxidant properties, and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements for people who suffer from arthritis or joint pain.

Omega 3 supplements are in fact recommended by the American Heart Association to prevent and treat

cardiovascular disease which is one of New Zealand’s most prolific killers,” says Dr Holt.

Natural Products New Zealand, the industry body which represents supplement manufacturers and retailers in New

Zealand says that reasonable use of supplements has no detrimental effects.

“People who take supplements should be wary of sensationalist media reports which attempt to undermine the

advice of health care professionals,” says Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of Natural Products New Zealand.

“Because not everyone gets the minerals and vitamins they need from their diet, we advocate using supplements

according to their recommended dosage – not at all a dangerous practice and in no way increasing the risk of

mortality,” says Ms Palmer. “However, taking excessive amounts of any substance, whether it is a prescription-

controlled drug or a vitamin supplement inevitably carries with it a degree of risk, so we encourage people to read

all labels thoroughly,” she says.

“Although most major natural health brands in New Zealand manufacture according to stringent international

regulatory standards, NPNZ recognises that a regulated environment in New Zealand would provide further

assurance for people who enjoy the health benefits provided by natural supplements. We are continuing to work

constructively with the government towards this goal,” says Ms Palmer.

ENDS

Note: Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ) represents over 80% of the Natural Products industry. Based on a survey of wholesale and retail

sales information, export data and industry surveys, NPNZ’s members make up the overwhelming majority of the natural products industry in

terms of product lines, turnover, employment and exports

For more information contact

Michelle Palmer, Executive Director of Natural Products New Zealand

P: +64 3 577 8676

F: +64 3 577 8626

E: michelle@naturalproductsnz.org