Alternative therapy, blogging, doggerel - - Doubts about Immune System Supplements*

Marketers say most disease,
Can be brought to its knees.


Just prop up overall immunity,
For citizens in the community.


Sales people say to be a health genius,
Just take your immune system serious.


Recognize healthy foods are not enough,
To prevent disease and to make you tough.


To stay well, take a daily immune dose supplement,
And your health will become an ageless monument.


Everybody knows deficient immunoglobulins,
Are lurking, stalking, hidden disease goblins.


That is what advertisers often claim and so often say,
Ignore your immunity, and your health will go astray.


So daily goose, goad, and garnish your immune system with antioxidants,
Be sure and take those essential vitamins, minerals and otheringredients,


Never mind inadequate scientific proof,
Or the possibility of a marketing spoof.


You must strive to do everything you can possibly do,
Even if the evidence for protection doesn't ring true.


It is ridiculous, say marketeering gurus, to ask.
Questioning their basic premises leaves them aghast.

Yes, immune system boosters may be a pseudoscience.
But on these boosters you can place strong reliance.

They’re a feel-good way to protect your health,
To ward off immune demons that kill by stealth.

Anyway, according to the impresario P.T. Barnum,
Each day someone is born seeking a better nostrum.

Among true believers immune supplements have this charm.
They may just do some good, but they do not do any harm.

That’s their belief,
In brief.

*My doubts stem from JAMA article, G. Bjelakovic, et al, “”Mortality and Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplements for Primary and Secondary Prevention, volume 297, pages 842-857, February 28, 2007.

After studying 68 randomized trials, researchers concluded,

“Our findings contradict the findings of observational studies, claiming that antioxidants improve health. Considering that 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the adult population (80-160 million people) in North America and Europe may consume the assessed supplements, the public health consequences may be substantial

“Antioxidant supplements are synthetic and not subjected to the same rigorous toxicity studies as other pharmaceutical agents. Better understanding of mechanisms and actions of antioxidants in relation to a potential disease is needed.”

Antioxidant supplement revenues are now in the $10 billion range and comprise roughly 20% of the $50 billion dietary supplement industry.