Subclinical Nutritional Deficiencies = Radiation D

Subclinical Nutritional Deficiencies = Radiation Damage?

In the recent past, many in mainstream medicine have looked down upon multivitamin supplementation. However, recent research should dramatically change this view. Indeed, the June 19th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association contained two articles devoted to the importance of multivitamin supplementation (1,2). In no uncertain terms, Fletcher and Fairfield state (2):

“In the absence of specific predisposing conditions, a usual North American diet is sufficient to prevent overt vitamin deficiency diseases…However, insufficient vitamin intake is apparently a cause of chronic diseases…A large proportion of the general population is apparently at increased risk for this reason…We recommend that all adults take a multivitamin daily. ”

As chiropractors, our philosophical orientation is such that we want to prevent the development of disease. Accordingly, the utilization of multivitamins in practice should be an easy addition if you are not already doing so. Multivitamin supplementation is a simple intervention that all patients need, and compliance is high if the importance of such supplementation is properly described.

If you need more compelling evidence regarding the importance of multinutrient supplements, consider that a recent article outlines how subclinical vitamin deficiencies can promote DNA injury that resembles radiation damage.

According to Dr. Bruce Ames, from the University of California at Berkeley:“A deficiency of any of the micronutrients: folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, or zinc, mimics radiation in damaging DNA by causing single- and double-strand breaks, oxidative lesions, or both…Common micronutrient deficiencies are likely to damage DNA by the same mechanism as radiation and many chemicals, appear to be orders of magnitude more important, and should be compared for perspective. Remedying micronutrient deficiencies should lead to a major improvement in health and an increase in longevity at low cost.” (3)

Ames explains that the RDA is mainly based on information on acute effects, and the optimum amount for long-term health is generally not known. Optimum intake of a micronutrient can vary with age and genetic constitution, state of well being, and is also influenced by other aspects of diet. The optimum amount to protect against genomic damage is generally thought to be higher than the current recommended daily allowance, and it is presently known that a sizeable % of the population is deficient relative to the current RDA (3).

References
1. Fairfield KM, Fletcher RH. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: scientific review. JAMA 2002; 287(23):3116-26

2. Fletcher RH, Fairfield KM. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: clinical applications. JAMA 2002; 287(23):3127-29

3. Ames B. DNA damage from micronutrient deficiencies is likely to be a major cause of cancer. Mut Res 2001; 475:7-20