The Natural Products Association (NPA), Washington, D.C., responded to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about the benefits of vitamins, calling the reporting “irresponsible” and “inaccurate.” John Gay, executive director and CEO, NPA, said: “It is disappointing that the Wall Street Journal would devote space to such a sensationalist and inaccurate item. Trying to scare Americans away from taking dietary supplements to improve their health is just plain irresponsible. Consumers deserve to hear more about the many benefits of vitamins and other dietary supplements, and I call on the Wall Street Journal to bring fairness to its reporting.”

The story discussed two recent studies NPA believes did a disservice to dietary supplement consumers. The Wall Street Journal acknowledged, “Observational trials can only show an association, not a cause and effect,” Mr. Gay noted. “We agree, and find it troubling that a story in the Journal would use such a study to assert that ‘the case for dietary supplements is collapsing.’ In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. More and more studies show that vitamins have real and widely accepted health benefits. These include providing nutrients, boosting immune systems and improving overall health. Even the authors of the vitamin E study mentioned in the article noted the benefit of vitamin E with Alzheimer’s disease and age-related macular degeneration.”

Mr. Gay continued, saying, “The article itself notes that calcium is ‘important to bone health’ and folic acid ‘reduces the likelihood of a common birth defect if taken by pregnant women.’ It also states that: ‘Researchers and nutritionists are still recommending dietary supplements for the malnourished or people with certain nutrient deficiencies or medical conditions.’ Far from collapsing, the case for vitamins is supported by experts who know best the value of good nutrition. That is why NPA has long advocated that consumers use dietary supplements as part of a healthy lifestyle. Half of all Americans take dietary supplements because they know they work.”

Jeff Wright, NPA president and owner of Wright’s Nutrients in New Port Richey, FL, added his comments, saying: “Like so many of my fellow health food store owners, I’m dedicated to helping consumers supplement their diets with the nutrients they need. Research is the cornerstone of our industry, and it seems that every week there is a new report about the importance of vitamins to the health of millions of Americans. Stories like the one in the Wall Street Journal might scare some Americans away from taking dietary supplements to improve their health, and that is just plain irresponsible.”