Medicine doesn’t have all answers

Dear Dr. Gott: Something happens to men in their 50s and they discover health and nutrition. This means they spend hours poring over books on nutrition and evaluating virtually every supplement known to man, after which they decide which are best for them and their families.

This course of action, in their minds, is supposed to eliminate any possibility of disease or at least keep them in top form for all their life. Anyone who does not follow these guidelines is stupid and probably obese to boot.

One thing the men (such as my husband) can’t seem to figure out is why doctors don’t just run blood tests to check for all these nutrient and vitamin levels they are religiously maintaining so they can make the minute adjustments that might be required.

While I do take a daily vitamin, if I take extra vitamin E, I feel sick. I say this is because I get plenty without additional supplements. My husband feels I am risking my long-term health by not experimenting with different types of vitamin E, to name but one, to get the one formulated correctly for me.

While I am concerned with aging gracefully, just like everything else, I feel vitamins are only a piece of the puzzle. I read the nutrition information, and I see vague information like vitamin C is necessary for a strong immune system. Things like low vitamin E have been found in studies to reduce the risk of cancer.

To me, this is like reading a horoscope. It gives vague information that can be interpreted by the reader in many different ways

I would be interested if you could direct me to some source that would help me support my claim that “If it makes me feel sick, I probably don’t need it.” Or if I should experiment until I find the right type of vitamin E to supplement my diet. Also, why can’t we just test for all the nutrients and adjust our diets accordingly?

Dear Reader: Although I appreciate the sentiments you expressed in your letter, I must disagree with some of your points.

All of us oldies yearn for a pill that would protect us from aging and literally neutralize us from harmful health issues. Vitamins alone may not be the answer, although a balanced diet with or without vitamin supplements is often appropriate. Neither are periodic blood tests of particular value.

I’m afraid that medical science is still in its infancy. Have we helped people – especially children – to lead more healthful lives? Yes. Have we extended the living cycle of most adults? You bet. But we still have a long, long way to go.

To give you related information, I am sending you a free copy of my Health Report “Vitamin E: Myths and Facts.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title.