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EDITORIALS: Salah Gariballa Vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing infections in older people BMJ 2005; 331: 304-305 [Full text]

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Not an easy decision

Seema Vasisht   (9 August 2005)

multivitamins! any disadvantages?

girish chawla   (9 August 2005)

Not an easy decision 9 August 2005
Seema Vasisht, Doctor Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY Send response to journal: Re: Not an easy decision	The above article addresses very vital information regarding metabolic changes in the human body as we grow older. There are approximately eight studies conducted so far as reported by the online issue of the BMJ gathered from Somerset Medical Center. Despite the limitations of these analyses, it is arguable whether multivitamins or minerals are adding any protective barrier between the elderly population and infections. It is a difficult situation as elderly individuals are prone to infections due to physiological changes and we are unsure if protective molecules are working on them. It is a big challenge for the physician because if these infections can be effectively prevented it will undoubtedly result in major reduction in the workload on the health care system. So we continue to supplement our elderly population with numerous supplements and I think we cannot afford to stop this because the evidence for or against the benefit of this practice is not conclusive. In balance, I feel we keep our practices in favour of supplementing nutrients at the moment till more evidence accumulates against it, and give the benefit of doubt to the growing elderly population. Competing interests: None declared
multivitamins! any disadvantages? 9 August 2005
girish chawla, SHO Cardiothoracic surgery walsgrave hospital cv2 2dx Send response to journal: Re: multivitamins! any disadvantages?	Dear sir, it was a great fun reading this article. I wonder in todays world when everything is moving towards evedince based practise how multivitamins are being prescribed without firm evidence of their benifits. I do appreciate it would be difficult to study their advantages in elderly people. Are there any studies which looked at disadvantages of giving multivitamins?.My understanding of physiology from days of being a medical student was that we should not be prescribing multivitamins unless indicated as it has a negative effect on human vitamin production and absorbtion. i would be greatful if the editorial committee could shine some more light on this issue in future articles. Kind Regards Girish Chawla Competing interests: None declared