Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and(b) evaluated on the (i) health benefits and (ii) safety of health and nutritional supplements. [3729]
§ Yvette CooperI apologise to my hon. Friend for the delay in responding to this question. I refer him to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
Most people are able to meet their nutritional needs by eating a balanced, varied diet, and therefore do not need to take dietary supplements. Key exceptions are:
Women intending to become pregnant are advised to take supplements of folic acid before conception to the 12 week of pregnancy to help prevent neural tube defects.984WAs a safety net for children and women from low income groups, supplements of vitamins A, D and C are available on the welfare food scheme.Asian mothers are routinely advised to take supplements of vitamin D as they are more prone to deficiency.Iron supplements may be prescribed to women or children with iron-deficiency anaemia which was not found to improve with appropriate dietary advice.Research commissioned by the Food Standards Agency in relation to health benefits of nutrient supplements
fish oil on cardiovascular disease risk factors calcium, vitamins D and K on bone healthantioxidant vitamins (e.g. vitamin E and C) on reducing cell damage from oxidative stress (thought to be involved in the initiation of many diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease)folic acid on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer.Some of these studies have finished while others are ongoing. Results from the finished studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals and placed in the public domain in the Agency library. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition may consider the conclusions reached by these and the other studies.
Evaluation of safety of nutrient supplements
The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals was established to review the safety of high dose vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure that the public is not put at risk.
The Group expects to complete the reviews of the relevant scientific information on the safety of individual vitamins and minerals shortly. Following this, the Group will complete risk assessments for the vitamins and minerals reviewed. Its conclusions will be issued by the Food Standards Agency for public consultation with a view to publishing its final report in 2002. A copy of the final report will be sent to the Scientific Committee on Food to inform deliberations by that committee on a draft proposal for a European Union Council Directive relating to the addition of nutrients to foods.
Evaluation of safety of health supplements
The safety of individual health supplements are considered on their merits on a case by case basis according to available evidence base and when safety of these supplements are raised as a cause of concern. Routine safety evaluation of health supplements is not undertaken.