[Update on vitamins for chronic disease prevention].
The author reviews on vitamins for chronic disease prevention during 2002 to 2007, and shown that vitamins and minerals supplementation may help to prevent cancer, osteoporosis and congenital abnormality and boost immune function. (1) The etiological factors of chronic disease are so much that vitamin and/or mineral factor is a very small. (2) The vitamin or mineral deficiencies increase sensitivity of chronic diseases. (3) If chronic diseases have occurred, it is hardly to treat it and to reduce its mortality rate; (4) The mechanism of vitamins supplementation for chronic diseases prevention may be a homocysteine theory, an antioxidant theory or anti-gene mutation theory; (5) There are some limitations in negative results from some studies or reviews. Taking vitamin/mineral supplements may be a feasible method of self-healthcare.
Zhou
Jianlie
J
Wyeth Consumer Healthcare China, Shanghai 200041, China. zhoujl@wyeth.com
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D012651:Self Medication; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins