CRN releases two video statements in response to anti-supplement journal editorial

WASHINGTON — In response to the study "Long-Term Multivitamin Supplementation and Cognitive Function in Men: The Physicians' Health Study II" and the editorial "Enough is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements," published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday released two video statements.

“The editorial demonstrates a close-minded, one-sided approach that attempts to dismiss even the proven benefits of vitamins and minerals," stated CRN president and CEO Steve Mister. "It’s a shame for consumers that the authors refuse to recognize the real-life need for vitamin and mineral supplementation, living in a fairy-tale world that makes the inaccurate assumption that we’re all eating healthy diets and getting everything we need from food alone."

Mister noted that, with regard to safety issues, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force draft recommendation, the basis for which comes from a study in the same issue of The Annals of Internal Medicine, did not identify safety concerns for vitamins at nutritional doses. Specifically, several scientific authorities have dismissed the concerns raised by the editorial for vitamin E, including this USPSTF report, which states “The USPSTF found adequate evidence that supplementation with vitamin E has little or no significant harm.” 

The concerns around beta carotene are isolated to high doses in smokers, and are not a concern for the majority of consumers taking a multivitamin, Mister noted. 

"We agree enough is enough," Mister said. "Stop the reductionist approach to nutritional research. Stop insinuating there is evidence of harm. Stop ignoring the scientific evidence that demonstrates there is value to getting your essential nutrients. There is plenty of scientific evidence that recognizes that vitamin and mineral supplements have a role in good health for all Americans.”

Response from Steve Mister, CRN president and CEO 

Commentary from Duffy MacKay, CRN VP scientific and regulatory affairs