June 17, 2013
The world of vitamins and supplements will become much clearer in the genomic era (time where our genes are mapped for each individual's health). I write this statement in opposition to the recent oped piece by Paul Offit, MD in the NYTimes.
We now know that if you have a defect in one or two copies of the gene MTHFR (folic acid metabolism), you are at higher risk for many diseases. Therefore, your methyl folate needs would be greater to avoid such risk. The source of the folate could be by the preferred route of a diet replete with greens or the American way through supplements.
Dr. Offit, unfortunately, is oversimplifying a complex web of biochemistry. I believe that he is half right and and half wrong. Indiscriminate use of supplements makes no sense. However, as we unravel your personal genome, we will be able to make educated decisions on your needs and risks.
Your route to success will rely on getting adequate amounts of life supplying minerals and vitamins. HOPEFULLY, THROUGH A HIGH QUALITY DIET.
Current evidence shows that people that follow the RDA are often insufficient in their levels of critical nutrients. Vitamin D and Iron are two poster children for how the RDA is no longer adequate to explain the needs of the human body.
In God's infinite wisdom, the body will utilize iron or vitamin D for the most critical need first and then if there is nutrient left over it will continue other important processes. It is akin to the acute blood loss state. The body will send blood to all organs until the volume drops to critical levels. Then we see a shunting pattern to the heart, brain and lungs.
This same effect occurs with iron. The iron is primarily used for red blood cell formation. In the deficiency state we get anemia. As iron is repleted through diet or supplementation the anemia resolves and we consider the system fixed by the RDA.
Not so fast. New data looking at the other functions of iron including sleep and neurologic function are not working at the RDA. Neurologists noted that restless leg syndrome and fatigue are improved with more iron. According to Dr. Offit, this cannot be so. Vitamin D is well known to resolve the disease Rickets at the RDA. However, we also have a litany of papers now showing that the RDA is not enough to support the nuclear peptides and immune FOXP3 function at the current RDA.
The list will go on and on that there is a plan to human health. That plan must take into account the mutations in our genome that decrease and increase our risk accordingly. Blind all encompassing statements like those of Dr. Offit do not serve us as providers of care. We need to keep the eye on the prize: Personalized medicine. Then and only then can we adequately weigh in on what your body needs to live to 100 years old.
With respect to Dr. Offit,
