Two- thirds of Britons swallow £ 112 bill for daily health pills
HEALTH- conscious Britons are paying £ 112 a year for daily supplements to stave off illness, a study reveals.
Two- thirds of us spend £ 9.40 a month on seven vitamin or dietary pills a week.
But 10 per cent take 21 or more supplements a week, with those aged 25 to 34 splashing out nearly £ 200 every year.
In that age group, more than threequarters want to boost a poor diet while 21 per cent aim to prevent colds.
One in 10 hopes to improve their fitness while six per cent take them in a bid to improve their looks, research by Manuka Health found.
Favourite supplements are multivitamins, vitamin C, omega 3, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and Manuka Honey.
Experts are split on the benefit of supplements. Nutritionist Susie Perry Debice said: “I recommend people boost nutrition through healthy eating. However, sometimes a supplement can offer nutritional support.”
One in 10 take Manuka Honey to ease sore throats and ward off colds even though just 23 per cent know where it comes from – New Zealand.
Dr Ian Campbell, a GP and diet specialist from Nottingham, said many supplements were unnecessary.
How green tea can Halt tHe agony of artHritis
A COMPOUND in green tea could help ease the agony of rheumatoid arthritis by acting as an anti- inflammatory treatment.
The condition’s millions of sufferers find existing drugs expensive and unreliable.
But trials on animals in the US showed the molecule from the tea, known as EGCG, reduced ankle swelling.
Lead researcher Salahuddin Ahmed, of Washington He said: “There are a few situations where they can be helpful, even essential, but by and large people are taking them without any evidence they are either necessary or helpful.
“There is a huge upsurge in vitamin D deficiency but even here supplements should only be taken under medical advice.
“There is some evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin can ease joint pains but they are costly if taken on a regular basis.
“If we maintain a nutritious and balanced diet, vitamin and other dietary supplements are unnecessary.” State University, said: “This study has opened the field of research into using EGCG against inflammation and tissue destruction.”
Richard Francis, of Arthritis Research UK, said: “It is known that green tea contains antioxidants and this study shows the specific EGCG molecule can have antiinflammatory effects.”
The study is published in Arthritis And Rheumatology.