Vitamin bashers and whistleblowers

Many people still believe that objective science is largely responsible for how we use medicine to manage our health. The notion is attractive, but sadly too often it doesn’t happen this way. There have been so many occasions in which we have found science to be distorted by individuals or corporations, usually for the sake of control or profit. The over-prescription of statins or anti-depressants, iatrogenic deaths, low fat diets and mammography screening are just a few examples.

Vitamin D was being hailed as a miracle cure by all and sundry just a few years ago. It wasn’t to last. The problem usually develops when positive results from observational studies motivate the drug companies to set up clinical trials for synthetic vitamins (that they make) and deliver them in very large, pharmacological doses. They then find these isolated, synthetic vitamins do harm to at least a proportion of the tested subjects, and any benefits are ignored. Finally, a big PR machine is let loose in an attempt to sully the reputation of all supplements. That’s the issue we address in our lead story this week, in relation to vitamin D in particular.

Our second piece  offers you some serious food for thought on the very sensitive issue of vaccines. We implore you to view the two videos we showcase with an open mind. One of them features none other than Dr Andrew Wakefield. Add what you learn to what you already know, or use the information you glean to continue your journey of discovery. Hopefully, whatever view you hold — or choice you make — will result in you being better informed on the issue of childhood vaccines.

In health, naturally

Rob Verkerk, PhD

Founder, executive & scientific director