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Vitamins and supplements: what you need to know before taking them

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/neelaveni-padayachee-1018709">Neelaveni Padayachee</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-witwatersrand-894">University of the Witwatersrand</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/varsha-bangalee-1253468">Varsha Bangalee</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-kwazulu-natal-1941">University of KwaZulu-Natal</a> If you were to open your medicine cabinet right now, there’s a fair chance that you’d find at least one bottle of vitamins alongside the painkillers, plasters and cough syrup. After all, people are definitely buying vitamins: in 2020, the global market for complementary and alternative medicines, which includes multivitamin supplements, had an estimated value of <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/complementary-alternative-medicine-market">US$82.27 billion</a>. The use of natural health products such as minerals and amino acids has <a href="https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Abstract/2007/03000/Why_People_Use_Vitamin_and_Mineral_Supplements.4.aspx">increased</a> – and continues to rise, partly driven by consumers’ buying habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. People <a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/companies/healthcare/2021-02-08-native-sales-of-sas-vitamins-and-nutritional-supplements-boom/">sought out</a> vitamins C and D, as well as zinc supplements, as potential preventive measures against the virus – even though the <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/do-vitamin-d-zinc-and-other-supplements-help-prevent-covid-19-or-hasten-healing-2021040522310">evidence</a> for their efficacy was, and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35888660/#:%7E:text=Concluding%2C%20available%20data%20on%20the,trials%20(RCTs)%20are%20inconsistent">remains</a>, inconclusive. Multivitamins and mineral supplements are easily accessible to consumers. They are often marketed for their health claims and benefits – sometimes unsubstantiated. But their potential adverse effects are not always stated on the packaging. Collectively, vitamins and minerals are known as micronutrients. They are essential elements needed for our bodies to function properly. Our bodies can only produce micronutrients in small amounts or not at all. We get the bulk of these nutrients <a href="https://www.iprjb.org/journals/index.php/IJF/article/view/1024">from our diets</a>. People usually buy micronutrients to protect against disease or as dietary “insurance”, in case they are not getting sufficient quantities from their diets. There’s a common perception that these supplements are harmless. But they can be dangerous at incorrect dosages. They provide a false sense of hope, pose a risk of drug interactions – and can delay more effective treatment. <h2>Benefits</h2> Vitamins are beneficial if taken for the correct reasons and as prescribed by your doctor. For example, folic acid supplementation in pregnant women has been shown to prevent neural tube defects. And individuals who reduce their intake of red meat without increasing legume consumption require a vitamin B6 supplement. But a worrying trend is increasing among consumers: intravenous vitamin therapy, which is often punted by celebrities and social media marketing. Intravenous vitamins, nutrients and fluids are administered at pharmacies as well as beauty spas, and more recently “<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/drip-bar-should-you-get-an-iv-on-demand-2018092814899">IV bars</a>”. Users believe these treatments can quell a cold, slow the effects of ageing, brighten skin, fix a hangover or just make them feel well. Intravenous vitamin therapy was previously only used in medical settings to help patients who could not swallow, needed fluid replacements or had an electrolyte imbalance. However, the evidence to support other benefits of intravenous vitamin therapy is limited. No matter how you choose to get additional vitamins, there are risks. <h2>Warning bells</h2> Most consumers use multivitamins. But others take large doses of single nutrients, especially vitamin C, iron and calcium. As lecturers in pharmacy practice, we think it’s important to highlight the potential adverse effects of commonly used vitamins and minerals: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/">Vitamin A/retinol</a> is beneficial in maintaining good eye health. But it can cause toxicity if more than 300,000IU (units) is ingested. Chronic toxicity (hypervitaminosis) has been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532916/">associated</a> with doses higher than 10,000IU a day. Symptoms include liver impairment, loss of vision and intracranial hypertension. It can cause birth defects in pregnant women. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/niacin-vitamin-b3/">Vitamin B3</a> is beneficial for nervous and digestive system health. At moderate to high doses it can cause peripheral vasodilation (widening or dilating of the blood vessels at the extremities, such as the legs and arms), resulting in skin flushing, burning sensation, pruritis (itchiness of the skin) and hypotension (low blood pressure). </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b6/">Vitamin B6</a> is essential for brain development and in ensuring that the immune system remains healthy. But it can result in damage to the peripheral nerves, such as those in the hands and feet (causing a sensation of numbness and often referred to as pins and needles) at doses over 200mg/daily. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/">Vitamin C</a> is an antioxidant and assists in the repair of body tissue. Taken in high doses it can cause kidney stones and interactions with drugs, such as the oncology drugs doxorubicin, methotrexate, cisplatin and vincristine. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/">Vitamin D</a> is essential for bone and teeth development. At high doses it can cause hypercalcaemia (calcium level in the blood is above normal) that results in thirst, excessive urination, seizures, coma and death. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/calcium/#:%7E:text=Calcium%20is%20a%20mineral%20most,heart%20rhythms%20and%20nerve%20functions">Calcium</a> is essential for bone health, but can cause constipation and gastric reflux. High doses can cause hypercalciuria (increased calcium in the urine), kidney stones and secondary hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid gland). It can have drug interactions with zinc, magnesium and iron. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/magnesium/">Magnesium</a> is important for muscle and nerve functioning. At high doses it can cause diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal cramping, and can interact with tetracyclines (antibiotics). </li> <li> Zinc <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7781367/">can impair</a> taste and smell, and doses over 80mg daily have been <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-022-00922-0#:%7E:text=Zinc%20supplementation%20of%20more%20than,zinc%20supplements%20among%20adult%20men.">shown</a> to have adverse prostate effects. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/selenium/">Selenium</a> can cause hair and nail loss or brittleness, lesions of the skin and nervous system, skin rashes, fatigue and mood irritability at high doses. </li> <li> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0098299720300364#:%7E:text=Expert%20guidelines%20for%20oral%20iron%20supplementation&text=Traditionally%2C%20the%20recommended%20daily%20dose,iron%20(Brittenham%2C%202018).">Iron</a> at 100-200mg/day can cause constipation, black faeces, black discoloration of teeth and abdominal pain. </li> </ul> <h2>Recommendations</h2> People need to make <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8377299/">informed decisions</a> based on evidence before consuming health products. Regular exercise and a well-balanced diet are more likely to do us good, as well as being lighter on the pocket. Seeking advice from a healthcare professional before consuming supplements can reduce the risk of adverse effects. Be aware of the potential adverse effects of vitamins and seek a healthcare professional’s guidance if you have symptoms.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/198345/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/neelaveni-padayachee-1018709">Neelaveni Padayachee</a>, Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-witwatersrand-894">University of the Witwatersrand</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/varsha-bangalee-1253468">Varsha Bangalee</a>, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-kwazulu-natal-1941">University of KwaZulu-Natal</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vitamins-and-supplements-what-you-need-to-know-before-taking-them-198345">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Vitamin D supplements can keep bones strong – but they may also have other benefits to your health

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/martin-hewison-1494746">Martin Hewison</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a> Most of us don’t worry about getting vitamin D when the weather’s warm and the sun is shining. But as winter approaches, accompanied by overcast days and long nights, you may be wondering if it could be useful to take a vitamin D supplement – and what benefit it might have. During the summer, the best way to get vitamin D is by getting a bit of sunshine. Ultraviolet rays (specifically UVB, which have a shorter wavelength) interact with a form of cholesterol called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278935/">7-dehydrocholesterol</a> in the skin, which is then converted into vitamin D. Because vitamin D production is dependent on UVB, this means our ability to make it <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/#:%7E:text=From%20about%20late%20March%2Fearly,enough%20vitamin%20D%20from%20sunlight.">declines in the winter months</a>. Vitamin D production also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24494042/">depends on where you live</a>, with people living nearer to the equator making more vitamin D than those living nearer the poles. Vitamin D deficiency is a <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a804e36ed915d74e622dafa/SACN_Vitamin_D_and_Health_report.pdf">problem in the UK</a> during the winter months. This is due to its northerly position and cloudy weather, and lack of time spent outdoors. One study of over 440,000 people in the UK found that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33309415/">18% were vitamin D deficient</a> during the winter months. Vitamin D deficiency was even higher in certain ethnic groups – with the data showing 57% of Asian participants and 38% of black participants were vitamin D deficient. This is because the melanin content of skin determines a person’s ability to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946242/#:%7E:text=Skin%20pigmentation%2C%20i.e.%2C%20melanin%2C,%5B7%5D%20and%20more%20generally.">make UVB into vitamin D</a>. Given the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the UK, and the importance it has for our health, in 2016 the UK’s Science Advisory Council on Nutrition outlined recommendations for the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-vitamin-d-and-health-report#:%7E:text=In%20a%20change%20to%20previous,aged%204%20years%20and%20older">amount of vitamin D</a> people should aim to get in the winter. They recommend people aim to get ten micrograms (or 400 IU – international units) of vitamin D per day. This would help people avoid severe deficiency. This can be achieved either by taking a supplement, or eating <a href="https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/ask-the-expert/foods-high-in-vitamin-d">certain foods</a> that are rich in vitamin D – including fatty fish such as herring, mackerel and wild salmon. A 100 gram serving of fresh herring, for example, would have approximately five micrograms of vitamin D. The clearest benefit of taking a vitamin D supplement is for <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/">bone health</a>. In fact, vitamin D was <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3899558/">first discovered</a> 100 years ago because of its ability to prevent the disease rickets, which causes weak bones that bend. Although rickets <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rickets-and-osteomalacia/#:%7E:text=The%20number%20of%20rickets%20cases,from%20sunlight%2C%20can%20develop%20rickets.">isn’t very common</a> in the UK today, it can still occur in children if they lack vitamin D. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can cause bone pain, tenderness and muscles weakness, as well as increased risk of osteomalacia – often called “soft bone disease” – which leads to weakening or softening bones. The reason a lack of vitamin D can have such an effect on bone health is due to the vitamin’s relationship with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844850/">calcium and phosphate</a>. Both of these minerals help keep our bones strong – but they require vitamin D in order to be able to reinforce and strengthen bones. <h2>Other health benefits</h2> In addition to its effects on the skeleton, a growing body of research is beginning to indicate that vitamin D supplements may have additional benefits to our health. For example, <a href="https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/42/10/5009.long">research shows</a> there’s a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of catching certain viral illnesses, including the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19237723/">common cold</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7231123/">flu</a> and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7385774/">COVID</a>. Similarly, several studies – <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32904944/">including my own</a> – have demonstrated in cell models that vitamin D promotes immunity against microbes, such as the bacteria which causes tuberculosis. This means vitamin D may potentially prevent some types of infections. Vitamin D may also dampen inflammatory immune responses, which could potentially protect against autoimmune diseases, such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29243029/">multiple sclerosis</a> and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2020.596007/full">rheumatoid arthritis</a>. One 2022 trial, which looked at over 25,000 people over the age of 50, found taking a 2,000 IU (50 micrograms) vitamin D supplement each day was associated with an <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-066452">18% lower risk</a> of autoimmune disease – notably rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D supplements may also be linked with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. A <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/381/bmj-2023-075230">major Australian study</a>, which looked at over 21,000 people aged 60-84, found that participants who took a 2,000 IU vitamin D supplement a day for five years had a lower risk of suffering a major cardiovascular event (such as stroke or heart attack) compared to those who didn’t take a supplement. It’s currently not known why vitamin D may have these benefits on these other areas of our health. It’s also worth noting that in many of these trials, very few of the participants were actually vitamin D deficient. While we might speculate the observed health benefits may be even greater in people with vitamin D deficiency, it will be important for future research to study these factors. While it’s too early to say whether vitamin D supplements have broad health benefits, it’s clear it’s beneficial for bone health. It may be worthwhile to take a supplement in the winter months, especially if you’re over 65, have darker skin or spent a lot of time indoors as these factors can put you at <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/vitamin-d-deficiency/faq-20058397#:%7E:text=However%2C%20some%20groups%20%E2%80%94%20particularly%20people,sun%20exposure%20or%20other%20factors.">increased risk of vitamin D deficiency</a>. The research also shows us that we should be rethinking vitamin D supplementation advice. While in the UK it’s recommended people get 400 IU of vitamin D a day, many trials have shown 2,000 IU a day is associated with health benefits.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/219521/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/martin-hewison-1494746">Martin Hewison</a>, Professor of Molecular Endocrinology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vitamin-d-supplements-can-keep-bones-strong-but-they-may-also-have-other-benefits-to-your-health-219521">original article</a>.

Body

How much protein do I need as I get older? And do I need supplements to get enough?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> If you are a woman around 50, you might have seen advice on social media or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CyVwOSzucnh">from influencers</a> telling you protein requirements increase dramatically in midlife. Such recommendations suggest a 70 kilogram woman needs around 150 grams of protein each day. That’s the equivalent of 25 boiled eggs at 6 grams of protein each. Can that be right? Firstly let’s have a look at what protein is and where you get it. <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/protein">Protein</a> is an essential macro-nutrient in our diet. It provides us with energy and is used to repair and make muscle, bones, soft tissues and hormones and enzymes. Mostly we associate animal foods (dairy, meat and eggs) as being rich in protein. Plant foods such as bread, grains and legumes provide valuable sources of protein too. But what happens to our requirements as we get older? <h2>Ages and stages</h2> Protein requirements change <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/protein">through different life stages</a>. This reflects changes in growth, especially from babies through to young adulthood. The estimated average requirements by age are: <ul> <li> 1.43g protein per kg of body weight at birth </li> <li> 1.6g per kg of body weight at 6–12 months (when protein requirements are at their highest point) </li> <li> protein needs decline from 0.92g down to 0.62g per kg of body weight from 6–18 years. </li> </ul> When we reach adulthood, protein requirements differ for men and women, which reflects the higher muscle mass in men compared to women: <ul> <li> 0.68g per kg of body weight for men </li> <li> 0.6g per kg of body weight for women. </li> </ul> Australian recommendations for people over 70 reflect the increased need for tissue repair and muscle maintenance: <ul> <li> 0.86g per kg of bodyweight for men </li> <li> 0.75g per kg of bodyweight for women. </li> </ul> For a 70kg man this is a difference of 12.6g/protein per day. For a 70kg woman this is an increase of 10.5g per day. You can add 10g of protein by consuming an extra 300ml milk, 60g cheese, 35g chicken, 140g lentils, or 3–4 slices of bread. There is emerging evidence <a href="https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85124835199&origin=resultslist&sort=plf-f&cite=2-s2.0-84881254292&src=s&nlo=&nlr=&nls=&imp=t&sid=c07c9e014577c86ab8cf85c62d9764cd&sot=cite&sdt=a&sl=0&relpos=39&citeCnt=6&searchTerm=">higher intakes</a> for people over 70 (up to 0.94–1.3g per kg of bodyweight per day) might reduce age-related decline in muscle mass (known as sarcopenia). But this must be accompanied with increased resistance-based exercise, such as using weights or stretchy bands. As yet these have not been included in any national nutrient guidelines. <h2>But what about in midlife?</h2> So, part of a push for higher protein in midlife might be due to wanting to prevent age-related muscle loss. And it might also be part of a common desire to prevent weight gain that may come with <a href="https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17290?af=R">hormonal changes</a>. There have been relatively few studies specifically looking at protein intake in middle-aged women. One large 2017 observational study (where researchers look for patterns in a population sample) of over 85,000 middle-aged nurses found higher intake of vegetable protein – but not animal protein or total protein – was linked to a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/187/2/270/3886033">lower incidence of early menopause</a>. In the same group of women another study found higher intake of vegetable protein was linked to a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcsm.12972">lower risk of frailty</a> (meaning a lower risk of falls, disability, hospitalisation and death). Higher intake of animal protein was linked to higher risk of frailty, but total intake of protein had no impact. Another <a href="https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2017/05000/skeletal_muscle_mass_is_associated_with_higher.9.aspx">smaller observational study</a> of 103 postmenopausal women found higher lean muscle mass in middle-aged women with higher protein intake. Yet an <a href="https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2021/03000/effects_of_high_protein,_low_glycemic_index_diet.11.aspx">intervention study</a> (where researchers test out a specific change) showed no effect of higher protein intake on lean body mass in late post-menopasual women. <a href="https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.17290?af=R">Some researchers</a> are theorising that higher dietary protein intake, along with a reduction in kilojoules, could reduce weight gain in menopause. But this has not been tested in clinical trials. Increasing <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7539343/">protein intake</a>, improves satiety (feeling full), which may be responsible for reducing body weight and maintaining muscle mass. The protein intake to improve satiety in studies has been about 1.0–1.6g per kg of bodyweight per day. However such studies have not been specific to middle-aged women, but across all ages and in both men and women. <h2>What are we actually eating?</h2> If we look at what the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/australian-health-survey-usual-nutrient-intakes/latest-release">average daily intake of protein is</a>, we can see 99% of Australians under the age of 70 meet their protein requirements from food. So most adults won’t need supplements. Only 14% of men over 70 and 4% of women over 70 do not meet their estimated average protein requirements. This could be for many reasons, including a decline in overall health or an illness or injury which leads to reduced appetite, reduced ability to prepare foods for themselves and also the cost of animal sources of protein. While they may benefit from increased protein from supplements, opting for a food-first approach is preferable. As well as being more familiar and delicious, it comes with other essential nutrients. For example, red meat also has iron and zinc in it, fish has omega-3 fats, and eggs have vitamin A and D, some iron and omega-3 fats and dairy has calcium. <h2>So what should I do?</h2> Symptoms of <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/protein#getting-too-little-protein-protein-deficiency">protein deficiency</a> include muscle wasting, poor wound healing, oedema (fluid build-up) and anaemia (when blood doesn’t provide enough oxygen to cells). But the amount of protein in the average Australian diet means deficiency is rare. The <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-guide-healthy-eating">Australian dietary guidelines</a> provide information on the number of serves you need from each food group to achieve a balanced diet that will meet your nutrient requirements. If you are concerned about your protein intake due to poor health, increased demand because of the sports you’re doing or because you are a vegan or vegetarian, talk to your GP or an accredited practising dietitian.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/215695/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-much-protein-do-i-need-as-i-get-older-and-do-i-need-supplements-to-get-enough-215695">original article</a>.

Body

Are fish oil supplements as healthy as we think? And is eating fish better?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, is promoted for a number of health benefits – from boosting our heart health, protecting our brain from dementia, and easing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. But what exactly are omega-3 fats and what does the evidence say about their benefits for keeping us healthy? And if they are good for us, does eating fish provide the same benefit as supplements? <h2>What are omega-3 fats?</h2> Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. They are essential to consume in our diet because we can’t make them in our body. Three main types of omega-3 fats are important in our diet: <ul> <li> alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in plant foods such as green leafy vegetables, walnuts, flaxseed and chia seeds </li> <li> eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), which is only found in seafood, eggs (higher in free-range rather than cage eggs) and breast milk </li> <li> docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is also only found in seafood, eggs (again, higher in free-range eggs) and breast milk. </li> </ul> Omega 3s are key to the structure of our cells, and help keep our heart, lungs, blood vessels, and immune system working. <h2>Eating fish vs taking a supplement</h2> The initial studies suggesting omega-3 fats may have health benefits came from <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.0954-6820.1976.tb08198.x">observational studies on people eating fish</a>, not from fish oil. So are the “active ingredients” from supplements – the EPA and DHA – absorbed into our body in the same way as fish? An <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523281484">intervention study</a> (where one group was given fish and one group fish oil supplements) found the levels of EPA and DHA in your body increase in a similar way when you consume equal amounts of them from either fish or fish oil. But this assumes it is just the omega-3 fats that provide health benefits. There are other <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/science/monitoringnutrients/afcd/pages/default.aspx">components of fish</a>, such as protein, vitamins A and D, iodine, and selenium that could be wholly or jointly responsible for the health benefits. The health benefits seen may also be partially due to the absence of certain nutrients that would have otherwise been consumed from other types of meat (red meat and processed meat) such as saturated fats and salt. <h2>So what are the benefits of omega 3 fats? And does the source matter?</h2> Let’s consider the evidence for heart disease, arthritis and dementia. Heart disease For cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and stroke), a <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub3/full">meta-analysis</a>, which provides the highest quality evidence, has shown fish oil supplementation probably makes little or no difference. Another <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/8/2278">meta-analysis</a> found for every 20 grams per day of fish consumed it reduced the risk of coronary heart disease by 4%. The <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/getmedia/f1d22267-7381-4513-834b-df317bed9a40/Nutrition_Position_Statement_-_DIETARY_FAT_FINAL-4.pdf">National Heart Foundation</a> recommends, based on the scientific evidence, eating fish rich in omega-3 fats for optimal heart health. <a href="https://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/17/3/385.pdf">Fish vary in their omega-3 levels</a> and generally the fishier they taste the more omega-3 fats they have – such as tuna, salmon, deep sea perch, trevally, mackeral and snook. The foundation says fish oil may be beneficial for people with heart failure or high triglycerides, a type of fat that circulates in the blood that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. But it doesn’t recommend fish oil for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (heart attack and stroke). Arthritis For rheumatoid arthritis, <a href="https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-022-02781-2">studies</a> have shown fish oil supplements do provide benefits in reducing the severity and the progression of the disease. Eating fish also leads to these improvements, but as the level of EPA and DHA needed is high, often it’s difficult and expensive to consume that amount from fish alone. <a href="https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/managing-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/complementary-treatments-and-therapies/fish-oils/">Arthritis Australia</a> recommends, based on the evidence, about 2.7 grams of EPA and DHA a day to reduce joint inflammation. Most supplements contain about 300-400mg of omega-3 fats. So depending on how much EPA and DHA is in each capsule, you may need nine to 14 capsules (or five to seven capsules of fish oil concentrate) a day. This is about 130g-140g of grilled salmon or mackeral, or 350g of canned tuna in brine (almost four small tins). Dementia <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952327807001421?via%3Dihub">Epidemiological studies</a> have shown a positive link between an increased DHA intake (from diet) and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952327807001421?via%3Dihub">Animal studies</a> have shown DHA can alter markers that are used to assess brain function (such as accumulation of amyloid – a protein thought to be linked to dementia, and damage to tau protein, which helps stabilise nerve cells in the brain). But this hasn’t been shown in humans yet. A systematic review of <a href="http://betamedarts.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/31Psychiatriki03_2020.pdf#page=58">multiple studies in people</a> has shown different results for omega-3 fats from supplements. In the two studies that gave omega-3 fats as supplements to people with dementia, there was no improvement. But when given to people with mild cognitive impairment, a condition associated with increased risk of progressing to dementia, there was an improvement. Another <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25446949/">meta-anlayses</a> (a study of studies) showed a higher intake of fish was linked to lower risk of Alzheimers, but this relationship was not observed with total dietary intake of omega-3 fats. This indicates there may be other protective benefits derived from eating fish. In line with the evidence, the <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/omega-3-and-dementia#:%7E:text=This%20could%20suggest%20that%20taking,its%20own%20may%20not%20be.">Alzheimer’s Society</a> recommends eating fish over taking fish oil supplements. <h2>So what’s the bottom line?</h2> The more people stick to a healthy, plant-based diet with fish and minimal intakes of ultra-processed foods, the better their health will be. At the moment, the evidence suggests fish oil is beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if people find it difficult to eat large amounts of fish. For dementia and heart disease, it’s best to try to eat your omega-3 fats from your diet. While plant foods contain ALA, this will not be as efficient as increasing EPA and DHA levels in your body by eating seafood. Like any product that sits on the shop shelves, check the use-by date of the fish oil and make sure you will be able to consume it all by then. The chemical structure of EPA and DHA makes <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224421005422">it susceptible to degradation</a>, which affects its nutritional value. Store it in cold conditions, preferably in the fridge, away from light. Fish oil can have some annoying side effects, such as fishy burps, but generally there are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664575/">minimal serious side effects</a>. However, it’s important to discuss taking fish oil with all your treating doctors, particularly if you’re on other medication.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212250/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-fish-oil-supplements-as-healthy-as-we-think-and-is-eating-fish-better-212250">original article</a>.

Body

How can I lower my cholesterol? Do supplements work? How about psyllium or probiotics?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> Your GP says you have high cholesterol. You’ve six months to work on your diet to see if that’ll bring down your levels, then you’ll review your options. Could taking supplements over this time help? You can’t rely on supplements alone to control your cholesterol. But there’s some good evidence that taking particular supplements, while also eating a healthy diet, can make a difference. <h2>Why are we so worried about cholesterol?</h2> There are two main types of cholesterol, both affecting your risk of heart disease and stroke. Both types are carried in the bloodstream inside molecules called lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol This is often called “bad” cholesterol. This lipoprotein carries cholesterol from the liver to cells throughout the body. High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood can lead to the <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.118.011433">build-up of plaque</a> in arteries, which leads to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. High-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol This is often called “good” cholesterol. This lipoprotein helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it back to the liver for processing and excretion. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.119.312617">linked to</a> a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. Diet can play a key role in reducing blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Healthy dietary choices are <a href="https://theconversation.com/got-high-cholesterol-here-are-five-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-63941">well recognised</a>. These include a focus on eating more unsaturated (“healthy”) fat (such as from olive oil or avocado), and eating less saturated (“unhealthy”) fat (such as animal fats) and trans fats (found in some shop-bought biscuits, pies and pizza bases). <h2>Fibre is your friend</h2> An additional way to significantly reduce your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels through diet is by eating more <a href="https://theconversation.com/fiber-is-your-bodys-natural-guide-to-weight-management-rather-than-cutting-carbs-out-of-your-diet-eat-them-in-their-original-fiber-packaging-instead-205159">soluble fibre</a>. This is a type of fibre that dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance in your gut. The gel can bind to cholesterol molecules preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream and allows them to be eliminated from the body through your faeces. You can find soluble fibre in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, oats, barley, beans and lentils. <h2>Fibre supplements, such as psyllium</h2> There are also many fibre supplements and food-based products on the market that may help lower cholesterol. These include: <ul> <li> natural soluble fibres, such as inulin (for example, Benefiber) or psyllium (for example, Metamucil) or beta-glucan (for example, in ground oats) </li> <li> synthetic soluble fibres, such as polydextrose (for example, STA-LITE), wheat dextrin (also found in Benefiber) or methylcellulose (such as Citrucel) </li> <li> natural insoluble fibres, which bulk out your faeces, such as flax seeds. </li> </ul> Most of these supplements come as fibres you add to food or dissolve in water or drinks. Psyllium is the fibre supplement with the strongest evidence to support its use in improving cholesterol levels. It’s been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5413815/">studied</a> in at least 24 high-quality randomised controlled trials. These trials show consuming about 10g of psyllium a day (1 tablespoon), as part of a healthy diet, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523070107#:%7E:text=Conclusions%3A,mild%2Dto%2Dmoderate%20hypercholesterolemia.">can significantly lower</a> total cholesterol levels by 4% and LDL cholesterol levels by 7%. <h2>Probiotics</h2> Other cholesterol-lowering supplements, such as probiotics, are not based on fibre. Probiotics are thought to help lower cholesterol levels via a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3352670/">number of mechanisms</a>. These include helping to incorporate cholesterol into cells, and adjusting the microbiome of the gut to favour elimination of cholesterol via the faeces. Using probiotics to reduce cholesterol is an upcoming area of interest and the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089990071500461X">research</a> is promising. In a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29384846/">2018 study</a>, researchers pooled results from 32 studies and analysed them altogether in a type of study known as a meta-analysis. The people who took probiotics reduced their total cholesterol level by 13%. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/07853890.2015.1071872">Other</a> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11906-020-01080-y">systematic reviews</a> support these findings. Most of these studies use probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, which come in capsules or powders and are consumed daily. Ultimately, probiotics could be worth a try. However, the effects will likely vary according to the probiotic strains used, whether you take the probiotic each day as indicated, as well as your health status and your diet. <h2>Red yeast rice</h2> <a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/red-yeast-rice">Red yeast rice</a> is another non-fibre supplement that has gained attention for lowering cholesterol. It is often used in Asia and some European countries as a complementary therapy. It comes in capsule form and is thought to mimic the role of the cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins. A <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.819482/full">2022 systematic review</a> analysed data from 15 randomised controlled trials. It found taking red yeast rice supplements (200-4,800mg a day) was more effective for lowering blood fats known as triglycerides but less effective at lowering total cholesterol compared with statins. However, these trials don’t tell us if red yeast rice works and is safe in the long term. The authors also said only one study in the review was registered in a major <a href="https://www.clinicaltrials.gov">database</a> of clinical trials. So we don’t know if the evidence base was complete or biased to only publish studies with positive results. <h2>Diet and supplements may not be enough</h2> Always speak to your GP and dietitian about your plan to take supplements to lower your cholesterol. But remember, dietary changes alone – with or without supplements – might not be enough to lower your cholesterol levels sufficiently. You still need to quit smoking, reduce stress, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Genetics can also play a role. Even then, depending on your cholesterol levels and other risk factors, you may still be recommended cholesterol-lowering medications, such as <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2795522">statins</a>. Your GP will discuss your options at your six-month review.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211748/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-burch-438717">Emily Burch</a>, Dietitian, Researcher & Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-can-i-lower-my-cholesterol-do-supplements-work-how-about-psyllium-or-probiotics-211748">original article</a>.

Body

Why you may need supplements

While most of us look well-nourished in the western world, the reality tells a very different story. At least 55 per cent of Aussies have some form of nutrient deficiency, commonly caused by poor food choices, poor lifestyle choices, medications, poor quality ingredients, over-farmed soil, eating out of season and even from cold storage. Your body will share essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids on a day-to-day basis to meet your immediate and fluctuating needs. While taking supplements is no replacement for a poor diet, as the name suggests, they may ‘supplement’ a healthy, balanced diet. Poor nutrition has been linked to an increased risk of many diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The human diet requires both macro-nutrients, which are the main source of energy, and micro-nutrients, required for all metabolic processes. Unfortunately, the most abundant source of dietary fuel in the Western diet is nutrient-poor, refined carbohydrates, which explains how most of the population are overweight and undernourished. Restrictive diets such as veganism can also lead to nutrient deficiencies. Animal and plant foods are complimentary, so for optimal nourishment, we need them both. While some deficiencies can be mild, others can cause a lifelong impact. Some common deficiencies: - Vitamin B12. This deficiency is particularly common in aged care facilities where about 14 per cent of patients are low in Vitamin B12. It affects memory, balance, fatigue and usually goes hand in hand with iron deficiency. - Calcium. This deficiency can be caused by a lack of Vitamin D, and you may not have any symptoms other than muscle weakness and spasms, fatigue or pins and needles. It’s difficult to eat adequate calcium in the diet, needing 1300mg a day over the age of 50. One cup of milk provides only 300mg. - Iodine. Australia has very low iodine levels but it’s a crucial mineral to support thyroid function. It can cause constipation, fatigue and weight gain. - Vitamin D. More than a third of Australians have a severe deficiency. It plays a huge role in immunity, lowering in winter because we don’t get as much sun. A lack of Vitamin D causes weakened bones, muscle pain and weakness. - Zinc. 85 per cent of Australian women and 50 per cent of men don’t eat enough zinc. Oysters are the best source, along with seaweed. It’s crucial for supporting immunity and deficiency can cause hair loss, diarrhea, impotence, skin, and vision problems. - Magnesium. 85-95 per cent of people are deficient which can lead to osteoporosis, heart disease, muscle weakness, shakiness, cramps, sleeplessness, abnormal heart rhythm and migraine. You can discover if your body has a low level of these nutrients through a simple blood test when you next visit your doctor, who can advise whether you need a dietary supplement. As we get older, we may need to a little more help to keep our body running well, so remember, knowledge is power! This article was written by Donna Aston. Donna is one of Australia’s top nutritionists. She developed the popular AstonRX Metabolic Fat Loss Program, Gut Rehab Program and Quick Start Program. Find out more at AstonRX.com. Image: Getty Images

Body

RECALLED anti-anxiety supplements

A batch of over-the-counter anti-anxiety supplements has been recalled over allergy fears, with any users of the popular supplement reported such reactions advised to seek medical attention. The recall for Kynd Stress Relief tablets has been issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and parent company iNova Pharmaceuticals. The items recalled are from batch 106585, which expires in August 2023 (08/2023). Users are advised to check the bottle for those details. There have been reportedly “unexpected” reactions including rash, tingling or burning sensations on the skin, redness of the skin and itching and swelling of the throat, tongue, eyelids or face, according to the TGA. People with those symptoms after taking the tablets are urged to immediately seek medical attention. “Pharmacies, other retailers and wholesalers who have purchased this product are advised to inspect stock immediately and quarantine all units from the affected batch,” the authority said. The cause of the reactions is unknown and iNova Pharmaceuticals has apologised to its customers. “Your health and safety are incredibly important to us and we take it very seriously,” the company said on the Kynd website. Kynd has made the decision to recall this product following reports of allergic reactions. Image: Facebook

News

COVID concerns drive supplement and vitamin use

<div> Image: Getty Sales of complementary medicines have been driven up by COVID fears, but immune boosting claims for them are doing more harm than good. <div class="copy"> In an <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/the-safety-of-commonly-used-vitamins-and-minerals" target="_blank">article</a> published today in Australian Prescriber, University of Queensland Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacology Geraldine Moses has warned of major potential harms associated with the use of dietary supplements. “One reason for the persistent popularity of vitamins and minerals is the perception that they are harmless,” says Moses. But that perception masks a troublesome reality. “When it comes to complementary medicines, most consumers are only given information about the possible benefits of these products, and little if anything about risk – and there’s always potential risk.” The advice comes as supplement use is soaring. In July, a US survey claimed that nearly 30% of Americans are now taking more supplements than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioned by the US health non-profit <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.samueli.org/" target="_blank">Samueli Foundation</a>, the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theharrispoll.com/" target="_blank">Harris Poll</a> concluded that 76% of US citizens were taking supplements. The article in Australian Prescriber discusses six potential harms of using dietary supplements: <ul> <li>They can have adverse effects, particularly at high doses.</li> <li>They can interact with other medicines.</li> <li>They cost money, which may be better spent on other things.</li> <li>Time spent taking dietary supplements may delay more effective treatments.</li> <li>They may bring false hope and disappointment.</li> <li>By taking dietary supplements, people add to the number of medicines they are taking, increasing the risk of medication error, interactions and adverse effects.</li> </ul> The US survey was small and not based on a probability sample, so more research is required to build an accurate picture. But the trend it highlights is supported by evidence globally of an upturn in supplement use. Accurate figures for Australia are hard to obtain, but market researchers <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/online-vitamin-supplement-sales/4091/" target="_blank">report</a> that sales of vitamins and supplements soared during the pandemic. The trend suggests that pandemic-related fear may be driving the use of these products, which some experts say are not regulated or evidenced as rigorously as <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tga.gov.au/registered-medicines" target="_blank">registered medicines</a>. And while the pandemic may have bolstered supplement sales, the scale of their use has always been profound: in 2018, around <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7956-australian-vitamin-market-december-2018-201904260734" target="_blank">a third of Australians</a> – 8.3 million people – reported buying supplements, according to Roy Morgan. <h4>Supplementary harms?</h4> Supplements can be benign and are critical for people with particular conditions or deficiencies, but there are notable cases in which they’ve been shown to cause long-term damage. Just last week, doctors at a Sydney liver transplant centre <a rel="noopener" href="https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2021/27/drug-related-liver-injury-call-for-better-regulation-of-supplements/" target="_blank">went public with concerns</a> that drug-induced liver injuries linked to dietary and herbal supplements were on the rise. Their <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2021/215/6/drug-induced-liver-injury-australia-2009-2020-increasing-proportion-non" target="_blank">study</a>, which spanned 2009 to 2020, found that the proportion of drug-induced liver injuries that were caused by supplements (as opposed to things such as paracetamol and other medications) rose from 15% in 2009–11 to 47% in 2018–20. “We observed a link to bodybuilding and weight-loss supplements as has been seen in reports internationally, but also a link to traditional Chinese medicines,” says co-author Simone Strasser, president of the Gastroenterological Society. “Both groups of supplements are rising in popularity in Australia.” Strasser says that in many cases supplement-related drug-induced liver injuries (DILIs) were potentially severe: while 90-day transplant-free survival was 74% for liver injuries caused by paracetamol, it was 59% for those caused by supplements. “There’s an old saying that the difference between a drug and a poison is the dose,” says Moses. “What many people don’t realise is that high doses of some supplements can be dangerous.” Moses says that because consumers aren’t aware of the potential toxicity of supplements, they may be skirting perilously close to the line without even knowing. “Vitamin B6 is the classic one,” Moses says. “In Australia, the toxic dose is considered to be 200mg a day or more, and lots of people that I see now in hospital will be on four products with 50mg in each one, so they’re at the toxic dose, but they’re completely unaware of that.” The authors of the liver-damage study have expressed concern that so many supplements are escaping regulatory oversight by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), not least, Strasser says, because “not infrequently these compounds were purchased online, bypassing the Australian regulatory system”. Strasser adds that because reporting adverse events associated with supplements to the TGA is voluntary, many severe adverse reactions go unreported. <h4>Health anxiety drives demand</h4> As the pandemic progresses, reports of health anxiety <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7239023/" target="_blank">naturally rise</a>. A July 2020 <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0236562" target="_blank">study</a> among 5,070 adult Australians of varying ages and from various locations found that 25% were very or extremely worried about contracting COVID-19, and around half (52%) were worried about family and friends contracting the disease. “When people are fearful, especially now with COVID, they will reach out and do whatever they can to assuage their anxiety, including taking natural health products,” Moses says. <div class="newsletter-box"> But do supplements work as promised? </div> Ken Harvey, a professor at Bond University’s school of Health Sciences and Medicine and an outspoken critic of pharmaceutical marketing, says that supplements can be helpful in specific cases. For example, pregnant women are encouraged to take folic acid to reduce the risk of foetal defects, and older people may need certain nutritional supplements to make up for deficiencies caused by poor diet, lack of activity and a lack of sunlight. But Harvey says most Australians can get enough of what they need from a reasonably healthy diet, so any vitamin they take will simply be filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in urine, because the body already has enough. Meanwhile, social media and wellness ‘influencers’ are patently contributing to the problem. A 2020 <a rel="noopener" href="https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-020-00474-6" target="_blank">study</a> in BMC Allergy, Ashthma and Clinical Immunology found that use of the popular Instagram hashtag #immunebooster increased by over 46% between 15 April and 15 May 2020. <h4>The myth of “immune-boosting” products</h4> One of the most touted phrases by both wellness influencers and supplement brands is ‘immune-boosting’, a term that had become synonymous with “wellness” even before the global pandemic. But how accurate is the term ‘immune-boosting’? Well, not very. According to Harvey, the immune-boosting myth is based on the fact that a lack of vitamins and minerals is known to weaken immunity, for example among malnourished populations. But Harvey says that in Australia, “there is no good evidence of widespread vitamin deficiencies in the population”. In fact, the idea of immune-boosting is based on a misconception about how the immune system works. The immune system is <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/boosting-your-immune-system.html" target="_blank">better off balanced</a> than boosted – if it could be boosted by supplements (<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6673706/#B7" target="_blank">which it can’t</a>), users would experience symptoms of an immune response, such as fever and a runny nose, and in extreme cases would end up very sick. “To ‘boost’ your immune system against specific diseases, you’ve got to either catch one, or you’ve got to be vaccinated,” Harvey says, adding that consumers often buy supplements under the mistaken belief – promoted by some brands – that they will offer immunological benefits. Even more alarming, there is <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28911953/" target="_blank">evidence</a> that some people may use ‘immune-boosting’ natural remedies as an alternative to vaccinations against viral conditions such as the flu, meaning the immune-boosting myth could hamper the fight against disease. Harvey says the TGA has regulated against advertising that promotes immune-boosting products by reference to the pandemic – but there’s a major loophole, because products can still be marketed as ‘immune-boosting’, provided they don’t mention COVID-19. <h4>So, how are supplements regulated?</h4> Under the TGA’s classification process, there are two major categories of medicines. Registered medicines include all prescription medications and most over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Prescription medications are considered higher risk, and OTC medicines a lower but still palpable risk, so all registered medicines are assessed by the TGA for quality, safety and efficacy. Efficacy, in pharmacological terms, refers to the ability of a drug to provide the benefits to which it claims, including establishing the dosage required to provide that benefit. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/efficacy-effectiveness-efficiency" target="_blank">Efficacy is established during clinical trials</a>. Complementary medicines such as supplements fall into the category of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tga.gov.au/listed-medicines" target="_blank">listed medicines</a>, which generally contain well-known, low-risk ingredients with long histories of use, such as vitamin and mineral products and sunscreens. These medicines are those that the TGA considers to be generally benign or low risk, so, “listed medicines do not undergo a full pre-market assessment of safety, quality and efficacy,” according to the TGA. The TGA does do yearly post-marketing surveillance on around 150 of the thousands of listed medicines on the Australian market, the results of which can be found in its <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tga.gov.au/annual-performance-statistics-reports" target="_blank">annual performance statistics reports</a>. A review of the performance statistics over the five years from 2015 to 2020 reveals that around 75% to 80% of the listed medicines tested are found to breach compliance in some way, which would appear to point to what Harvey refers to as a “light-touch regulatory process” for listed medicines. <h4>Where to now?</h4> Approached for comment, the TGA informed Cosmos that enhancements to the listed medicines post-market compliance scheme are coming. But the supplement sector has always been resilient, offering an alluring alternative to Western medicine, whether because the supplements are perceived as low risk, or because of an inherent distrust of public-health messaging. “They [the TGA] have a pretty tough job to do, trying to cover every possible pharmaceutical product throughout Australia,” Moses says. “But I certainly think that with complementary medicines we could do a better job if we required manufacturers to provide consumers with information about potential risks.” Strasser says that a lack of public education is hampering both the TGA and the medical profession’s ability to clamp down on unsafe supplement use. “There is still a perception that supplements are natural and therefore healthy,” she says. “Time after time, patients who experience severe DILI are incredibly surprised that something they purchase over the counter or online with the aim of improving their health could have harmed them.”  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=160279&title=COVID+concerns+drive+supplement+use" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> </div> <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/dangers-dietary-supplements/">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/amalyah-hart">Amalyah Hart</a>. </div> </div>

Food & Wine

How coronavirus has changed how we enjoy hotel breakfasts

The new normal in hotel buffets Who doesn’t love a good hotel buffet? They are cost-effective, delicious and it doesn’t matter if your eyes are bigger than your stomach. There is something truly magical about groggily taking the lift down to the hotel lobby to find an expansive breakfast spread in front of you, but while still exciting, these moments will look a little different now due to the coronavirus pandemic. We spoke to experts to see just what will be different about hotel buffets in a post-pandemic world. No more serving yourself One major change we might see at hotel buffets post-pandemic is that we won’t be the ones putting the food on our plates. Guests will most likely just point to the food that they want behind plexiglass and servers will place the food on their dish. “That way, only one person will be holding the serving utensils and guests may not have to wear gloves to prevent the transfer of bacteria,” says Laurie Wilkins, founder of Call Outdoors. Hand sanitiser will become a staple If you haven’t already noticed, hand sanitiser has become a staple everywhere and hotels are not the exception. Hand sanitising stations will likely be at various access points throughout the buffet. “These hand sanitisers might also have a foot pump dispenser, so everything is hands-free,” claims Wilkins. “Since there are many people coming to the restaurant, the surface of hand sanitiser bottles may potentially be unsanitary as well.” Breakfast room will be sealed Dining rooms will be closed in order to avoid unnecessary congregation and interaction between guests at some large hotel chains, such as Best Western. Guests will eat in their own private spaces so everyone can maintain distance and limit contact. Grab And Go options Best Western is also enhancing its “Grab & Go” offerings, meaning that all food and beverage options will be pre-packaged to avoid contamination. With pre-packaged options, guests will avoid unnecessary touching or breathing on the food and will also have limited contact with servers. Waiter service “The food will still be mass-produced but, instead of customers going up to grab food, they will order from the staff who will bring the food to you,” explains Raymond Cua, founder of Travelling Foodie. “This will eliminate the need to have all the food displayed outside which is prone to contamination.” Having a waitstaff can also prevent unnecessary contact with other guests as the only outside contact people will have is with their server. Contactless ordering Cua also claims that some hotels may implement contactless ordering with the use of a device rather than having a server physically come to take your order. That way, the only contact will be the delivery of the food to the table. Room service “One possible action plan that hotels can do is to use room service as a platform to connect their customers to their hotel buffet offerings,” says Yaniv Masjedi, CMO at Nextiva. “Customers can choose the food and drinks they like to eat and relay information to the front desk. Then, room service delivers orders. With this set-up, it helps prevent the spread of the virus by eliminating the chances of hotel guests interacting with one another.” Hotel employees can also leave the food outside the door like many takeout places have been doing to limit face-to-face contact. Directional buffets For hotels that are still allowing for in-person buffets, guests will only be able to move in one direction while socially distanced – just like many stores that are placing directional arrows on the floor. “Buffets will become more ‘directional’ with you needing to start on one end, and finish in another, for more traffic flow,” explains Alex Miller, CEO of Upgraded Points.com. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/travel-hints-tips/what-hotel-buffets-will-look-like-now/" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.

Travel Tips

If you took to growing veggies in the coronavirus pandemic, then keep it up when lockdown ends

The COVID-19 pandemic produced a run on the things people need to produce their own food at home, including <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-24/coronavirus-panic-buying-of-edible-plants-at-nurseries/12082988">vegetable seedlings, seeds</a> and <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/scramble-for-backyard-chooks-follows-egg-panic-buying-20200401-p54g28.html">chooks</a>. This turn to self-provisioning was prompted in part by the high price rises for produce – including <a href="https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/coronavirus/cauliflower-and-broccoli-among-healthy-vegetables-whose-prices-have-skyrocketed-during-coronavirus-pandemic-ng-b881501930z">A$10 cauliflowers and broccoli for A$13 a kilo</a> – and empty <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/mar/27/ive-never-seen-it-like-this-why-vegetables-are-so-expensive-in-australia-at-the-moment">veggie shelves in some supermarkets</a>. As well as <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/bunnings-diy-garden-shopping-frenzy-as-virus-lockdown-takes-hold/news-story/413857a8c40b44af21eb90a1f88a594f">hitting the garden centres</a> people looked online for information on growing food. Google searches for “<a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=how%20to%20grow%20vegetables">how to grow vegetables</a>” hit an all-time worldwide high in April. Hobart outfit Good Life Permaculture’s video on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUqkZLSOdm0">Crisis Gardening - Fresh Food Fast</a> racked up over 80,000 views in a month. Facebook kitchen garden groups, such as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SAKGF/videos/vb.107400965969813/2830266200384624/?type=3&theater">Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation</a>, sought to share information and inspiration. <h2>The good life</h2> Given the many benefits of productive gardening, this interest in increased self-sufficiency was an intelligent response to the pandemic situation. Experienced gardeners can produce enough fruit and vegetables year-round to supply two people from <a href="https://www.katlavers.com/the-plummery/">a small suburban backyard</a>. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301401" title="Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis">Productive gardening improves health</a> by providing contact with nature, physical activity and a healthier diet. Contact with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6780873/" title="Does Soil Contribute to the Human Gut Microbiome?">good soil bacteria</a> also has positive health effects. While Australians have traditionally valued the feeling of independence imparted by a degree of self-sufficiency, psychological benefits arise from the <a href="https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/products/reclaiming-the-urban-commons">social connectedness encouraged by many forms of productive gardening</a>. Amid COVID-19, gardeners gathered online and community gardens around the world brought people together through gardening and food. In some areas, community gardens were <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-community-gardens-essential-1.5545115">declared essential because of their contribution to food security</a>. Although Australian community gardens paused their public programs, most remained open for gardening adhering to social distancing regulations. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/329929/original/file-20200423-47826-1iul3x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> Community gardens have an important role to play in food resilience. Andrea Gaynor <h2>We always dig deep in a crisis</h2> Vegetable gardening and poultry-keeping often surge in popularity during times of social or economic insecurity, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These responses are built on an established Australian tradition of home food production, something I have <a href="http://www.environmentandsociety.org/sites/default/files/key_docs/harvest_of_the_suburbs__andrea_gaynor_with_title_and_content.pdf">researched in depth</a>. Yet history tells us it’s not easy to rapidly increase self-provisioning in times of crisis – especially for those in greatest need, such as unemployed people. This is another reason why you should plant a vegetable garden (or keep your current one going) even after the lockdown ends, <a href="https://www.sustain.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Urban-Agriculture-Manifesto-2020-1.pdf">as part of a broader suite of reforms</a> needed to make our food systems more fair and resilient. In the second world war, for example, Australian food and agricultural supply chains were disrupted. In 1942-3, as the theatres of war expanded and shortages loomed, the YWCA organised women into “<a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/homefront/victory_gardens">garden armies</a>” to grow vegetables and the federal government launched campaigns encouraging home food production. Community-based food production expanded, but it was not possible for everyone, and obstacles emerged. In Australia, there were disruptions in the supply of seeds, fertiliser and even rubber for garden hoses. In London, resourceful gardeners scraped pigeon droppings from buildings to feed their victory gardens. Another problem was the lack of gardening and poultry-keeping skills and knowledge. The Australian government’s efforts to provide good gardening advice were thwarted by local shortages and weather conditions. Their advertisements encouraging experienced gardeners to help neighbours may have been more effective. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/334896/original/file-20200514-167768-brf3j3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/334896/original/file-20200514-167768-brf3j3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Australian government ‘Grow Your Own’ campaign advertising, 1943. National Archives of Australia, Author provided Home food production has also increased during times of economic distress. During the <a href="https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/great-depression">Great Depression</a> in the 1920s and 1930s, a health inspector in the inner suburbs of Melbourne reported, with satisfaction, that horse manure was no longer accumulating: <blockquote> … being very much in demand by the many unemployed who now grow their own vegetables. </blockquote> The high inflation and unemployment of the 1970s – as well as the oil shocks that saw steep increases in fuel prices – saw more people take up productive gardening as a low-cost recreation and buffer against high food prices. The urge to grow your own in a crisis is a strong one, but better preparation is needed for it to be an equitable and effective response. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/329926/original/file-20200423-47804-pldop7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/329926/original/file-20200423-47804-pldop7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> How to grow your own vegetables… as long as you like endive. Andrea Gaynor <h2>Beyond the pandemic</h2> The <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-home-gardening-explosion-fruits-vegetables-lockdown/3cf0476b-9fe0-432e-b5c9-d37b9390a12f">empty shelves at nurseries and seed suppliers</a> seen earlier this year tell us we were again insufficiently prepared to rapidly scale up productive home gardening. We need to develop more robust local food systems, including opportunities for people to develop and share food production skills. These could build on established programs, such as western Melbourne’s <a href="https://mysmartgarden.org.au/">My Smart Garden</a>. Particularly in built-up urban areas, provision of safe, accessible, free or low-cost gardening spaces would enable everyone to participate. More city farms with livestock, large-scale composting and seed saving, can increase local supplies of garden inputs and buffer against external disruption. Like other crises before it, COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in the systems that supply most Australians with our basic needs. While we can’t grow toilet paper or hand sanitiser, there is a role for productive gardens and small-scale animal-keeping in making food systems resilient, sustainable and equitable. Self-provisioning doesn’t replace the need for social welfare and wider food system reform. But it can provide a bit of insurance against crises, as well as many everyday benefits.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/135359/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrea-gaynor-285129">Andrea Gaynor</a>, Associate Professor of History, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-western-australia-1067">The University of Western Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-you-took-to-growing-veggies-in-the-coronavirus-pandemic-then-keep-it-up-when-lockdown-ends-135359">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

Travel bans and event cancellations: how the art market is suffering from coronavirus

The recently released <a href="https://www.artbasel.com/about/initiatives/the-art-market">The Art Market 2020</a> report provides a timely insight into how COVID-19-related disruptions are likely to impact growth and sales in the global art market. The report estimates global art market sales in 2019 were worth US$64.1 billion (A$97 billion), down 5% on 2018. This drop reflects the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-september-2019-briefing-no-130/">decline in global economic growth</a> driven by increasing geopolitical tensions and the trend toward trade protectionism led by the United States. In 2020, measures to control the spread of coronavirus through government restrictions on travel and large social events are already having a dramatic impact on the international art market. In the last six weeks, multiple art fairs have announced either <a href="https://news.artnet.com/market/miart-2020-1795875">postponement or cancellation</a>, including Jingart Beijing, Art Basel Hong Kong, Miaart Milan, Art Paris, Art Berlin and Art Dubai. The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht went ahead, but reported <a href="https://news.artnet.com/market/tefaf-fair-quiet-coronavirus-fears-1795797">a 27% drop</a> in attendance of VIPs at the opening, when many major sales are traditionally made. <h2>The growing art fair market</h2> As in previous years, 2019 art market sales were highly concentrated in three major hubs. The United States, the United Kingdom and China collectively accounted for 82% of the total value of sales. The Art Market report identified a growing shift away from public auctions toward private sales. The overall auction sector (including public auctions and private sales by auction houses, online and offline) represented 42% of total market sales in 2019. The overall dealer sector (including dealer, gallery and online retail sales) represented 58% of total art market sales in 2019, with the value of sales increasing by 2%. Within this sector, dealers with turnover of more than US$1 million (A$1.5 million) experienced a much larger growth of 20%. These dealers are the fastest-growing sector and the most reliant on art fair sales. Almost half of all sales in the dealer sector were made at art fairs in 2019, amounting to US$16.5 billion (A$25 billion) – 26% of all sales made in the global art market. This concentration of sales at the top end of the dealer market is perhaps the art market’s Achilles heel when considering potential fallout from the impending COVID-19 pandemic. Dealers in this turnover bracket attended twice as many art fairs as smaller dealers, with international fairs (as opposed to local fairs) contributing to more than half their total art fair sales. For dealers with turnover of more than US$10 million (A$15.1 million), international art fairs represented a staggering 70% of their art fair sales. <h2>An unwelcome ‘distraction’</h2> Besides the sales generated at art fairs, dealers have become increasingly dependent on fairs for expanding client lists and developing their businesses. The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic represents an immediate threat to this business model. One dealer quoted in The Art Market report noted the undesirable impact disruptions from outside the art world can have on art market demand: "2020 will be a challenging year, but rather than major political dramas having a direct financial impact, their main danger for us is to distract people’s attention. Distractions and anxieties can take people away from buying art, even if the economy is booming and they’re still in a position to spend." While this dealer was more likely referring to topical political issues, such as Brexit or trade sanctions, the COVID-19 outbreak has the potential to provide a far greater “distraction” for art buyers. The impact of COVID-19 on the long-term health of the art market remains to be seen. Art fairs <a href="https://news.artnet.com/market/art-fair-saturation-1484986">had already been struggling</a> due to multiple economic headwinds in the latter part of 2019, with increasing numbers of retractions and cancellations worldwide. In 2019, Art Basel Hong Kong featured 242 galleries from 35 countries and was attended by 88,000 visitors over five days. This was a pivotal event on the regional calendar and its loss to the 2020 art market will be sorely felt. The global footprints and nimble business structures of international auction houses may help these businesses weather this storm, as <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/arts/christies-sothebys-auctions.html">they have done in the past</a>. But the picture is worrying for commercial galleries. Artists and galleries <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/australian-galleries-count-cost-as-coronavirus-shutters-hk-art-fair-20200207-p53yts.html">prepare for months</a> in advance of fairs and exhibitions. In a survey of the <a href="https://www.theartnewspaper.com/analysis/behind-closed-doors-how-museums-in-china-are-coping-with-coronavirus">impact of the coronavirus</a> on the art market in China, 73.8% of respondents in the visual arts industry reported their businesses will not survive for longer than three months if the current containment situation continues. <a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/coronavirus-hong-kong-online-gallery-platform-1794369">Creative initiatives</a> are emerging, such as Art Basel Hong Kong’s online viewing platform. But with uncertainty about how long it will be until this pandemic is under control, the future health of the global art industry is yet to be determined. Image credits: Getty Images This article was first published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/travel-bans-and-event-cancellations-how-the-art-market-is-suffering-from-coronavirus-133161" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.

Art

Nutrient supplements do no good, may do harm

<div class="copy">The only vitamins that help are the ones you get from food, a new study suggests.</div> <div class="copy"> Researchers at Tufts University in the US find that vitamin and mineral supplements are at best a waste of money, and at worst are correlated with increased mortality rates. </div> <div class="copy"> The study, led by nutrition specialist Fang Fang Zhang and <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.7326/M18-2478">published</a> in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, finds that adequate intakes of vitamin K and magnesium are associated with lower all-cause mortality rates, but the findings hold true only for intake from food sources, not from vitamin supplements. On the other hand, excess calcium intake, including from supplements, was linked to a higher rate of cancer mortality. Vitamin D supplement intake for individuals with no vitamin D deficiency was linked to higher all-cause mortality rates. “As potential benefits and harms of supplement use continue to be studied, some studies have found associations between excess nutrient intake and adverse outcomes, including increased risk of certain cancers,” Zhang says. “It is important to understand the role that the nutrient and its source might play in health outcomes, particularly if the effect might not be beneficial.” The study is based on data from 27,725 adults who had answered a range of health and nutrition questions and completed at least one 24-hour food log for the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2006 and 2011. More than half of the participants had used at least one dietary supplement within the previous 30 days, with over 38% using a multivitamin or mineral product. Supplement users were more likely than the rest of the population to get nutrients through their food. They were also disproportionately older, wealthier, whiter, more educated, physically active, and female. They were less likely to smoke, drink heavily, or be obese. In other words, they were people with the resources and inclination to take care of their bodies. “Our results support the idea that, while supplement use contributes to an increased level of total nutrient intake, there are beneficial associations with nutrients from foods that aren’t seen with supplements,” said Zhang. “This study also confirms the importance of identifying the nutrient source when evaluating mortality outcomes.” Image credit: Shutterstock This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/nutrient-supplements-do-no-good-may-do-harm/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Samantha Page. </div>

Retirement Life

Police under investigation after social media leaks work party

Police at a Western Sydney police station are under investigation for allegedly holding a workplace party in contravention of the current Public Health Order. More than a dozen officers are said to have gathered in a common room at Mt Druitt Police station in the Blacktown Local Government Area (LGA), which is currently an LGA of concern and subject to strict lockdown rules. Photos uploaded to a police social media page showed the officers decorated with balloons and streamers to share platters of food, in a gathering to celebrate LGBTIQIA+ awareness. A caption on one of the images stated, “’Happy Wear it Purple Day. Follow your rainbow and start the conversation”. The images were deleted from social media shortly after they were posted. Hypocrisy In the eyes of many, the gathering shows a brazen disregard for the very orders these officers are strictly enforcing on the community. The Blacktown LGA has one of the highest rates of COVID cases since Sydney’s Delta outbreak began in mid-June. Internal review The NSW Police Force is now conducting an “internal review” into the incident, although no fines or court attendance notices have been issued to the allegedly offending officers or workplace. Under the current Public Health Order, emergency workers such as police officers are exempt from the rules against gatherings if this is required to perform their duties. There is a strong argument that gathering at a station for such a celebration falls outside the exemption. One officer can be seen in the photos not wearing a mask, which is a breach of the Public Health Order unless the officer has an exemption. Current rules Under current lockdown orders, gatherings at home are not permitted, and only two people from different households can be together outdoors. Masks are mandatory in indoor settings and many outdoor settings, other than homes. Failing to adhere to these restrictions can attract a hefty fine and/or being sent to court to face up to six months in prison. Workplace gatherings are discouraged In recent weeks the Chief Health officer, Dr Kerry Chant has reiterated the importance of workplaces to consider their COVID-safe plans. “Make sure you are not sharing the tea room, you are wearing masks, you have four-metre density and make sure you do not attend when you have symptoms”, she told the media. No requirement to vaccinate To date, police officers have not been designated as an industry that is required to vaccinate against COVID-19. This is despite such mandates being imposed on a range of other workplaces including quarantine workers, aged care workers and some healthcare staff, as well as construction workers. Many see this as an anomaly given that police are regularly in contact with both each other and members of the public, including physical contact when they are required to perform a search or an arrested. At a time when individuals and businesses are at their wits end after many weeks lockdowns, the conduct of police as well as their apparent special treatment by the NSW Government has many upset and even angry. Community is fed up Greater Sydney is in its 10th week of lockdowns, while the remainder of the state is in week three. There is currently no clear end in sight, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian continually changing the vaccination targets and failing to make any clear announcements about when lockdowns will come to an end. Meanwhile, businesses are closing down on a daily basis, the mental health of both adults and children is suffering, and the economy as a whole is in steady decline. Heavy-handed policing Police have been heavily criticised for their lack of compassion during the pandemic, especially their heavy-handed approach to enforcement. Many believe documented acts like throwing people to the ground for not wearing a mask are unnecessary, and can indeed amount to assault due to the use of excessive force in contravention of legislative safeguards such as section 231 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 as well as common law cases which make clear that arrest should only be used as a last resort. Section 231 provides that police are only permitted to “ use such force as is reasonably necessary to make the arrest or to prevent the escape of the person after arrest”. Yet, post after post shows police apparently using far greater force than appears to be required. Focus on Western Sydney Police have also been criticised over their disproportionately harsh enforcement in Western and South-Western Sydney. Social media posts regularly show hoards of people attending places like Bondi Beach without much of a police presence, while posts of the less affluent Western and South-Western Sydney show below in large number sweeping through the suburbs. And figures support these claims of disproportionality – with police issuing far more COVID fines in the West and South-West than in the affluent Northern and Eastern suburbs, even prior to the latest lockdown. Protests Earlier this week, at least 79 anti-lockdown protests were held across New South Wales, during which 153 people were arrested and nearly 600 issued with fines. The frustration and anger of significant sections of the community is only compounded when those who are empowered to enforce the law, and do so with little compassion or tolerance, are given special treatment and flout those laws themselves. Written by Sonia Hickey. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/sydney-police-post-pictures-of-work-party-on-social-media/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers.</a>

Legal

Let's look at the lighter side of lockdown

Some parts of Australia and many countries around the world are in some stage of lockdown because of COVID-19 right now so it could be time to look at the humorous side of lockdown. For a start, pets certainly do well during lockdown. Their owners are home much more and they get to go for lots of regular walks. Canadian comedian, Chantal Desjardins, was getting a bit bored when she was in isolation with her fiancé during the first lockdown in 2020. She was at home with her pets in Montreal so she decided to use an app on her phone and have some fun with Cooper, her 7-week-old mini-bernedoodle. After drinking a few wines, Desjardins said: “Before I knew it, I had an entire corona song written from a dog’s perspective.” She posted a video of Cooper singing Gloria Gaynor’s anthem I Will Survive in a high-pitched voice but with the lyrics updated to reflect the current situation. It’s all about Cooper having a good time in lockdown because his owners are home a lot more – a situation reflected around many parts the globe right now. The video has now been viewed by half a million people and shared many times. As Cooper sings: “We played fetch for seven hours in the backyard in the sun. I don’t know what a pandemic is, but it sure is good for me!” <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i97VF8XeBQ4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Here’s another classic to take a look at. This is Julie Andrews and the Sound of Music Covid 19 song. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MMBh-eo3tvE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> And to voice what many of us are feeling with Coronavirus returning this year after we thought it would have gone away by now, here's My Corona Part 2 (One Year Later) – A Chris Mann Vaccine Parody. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZvkZ14_HA0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Photo: YouTube

Family & Pets

Meet the British man making art out of discarded face masks

A British man is making the most out of the pandemic by making unique art in his backyard. Nottingham native Thomas Yates, 45, was made redundant from a brewery at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. After working there for five years, he found himself with an abundance of extra time. Tom decided to take to the streets and use his working hours to clean the streets of discarded litter. On his travels in his local area, he noticed he was collecting a lot of abandoned face masks and decided to make art out of them in his own backyard. After he creates his artworks, he collects all of the rubbish and sends it off to be properly recycled. His images of unusual art have attracted hundreds of followers on social media, as his artworks only continue to grow. "I have questioned myself. Why am I making art out of litter? And then when you see the end results, I think they're quite good," he said to the BBC. A spokesperson for his local council area applauded his efforts of cleaning the streets. The council spokesperson said, "We would like to thank Thomas for his excellent work and all the many volunteers who already litter pick in their local communities regularly and help keep our streets, parks and open spaces even tidier." Image credits: Instagram @averagegradient

Art

COVID scare hits the Sunrise set

A major COVID-19 scare has hit the Sunrise team after it was realised a crew member tested positive for the virus. Co-host Natalie Barr opened Friday morning’s breakfast program by informing viewers that Edwina Bartholomew was a “close contact” of the positive case. As a result, she was being forced to self-isolate at home. Channel 7 confirmed the positive case of an employee on Thursday, saying it came from someone working at Sunrise’s Martin Place, in Sydney offices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The staff member is fully vaccinated and doesn’t live in a hotspot. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843474/sunrise-edwina.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7b624a90b8a44e289079dcc6b190f83b" /> Natalie and Michael on the set of Sunrise. Image: Channel 7 They tested after they were identified as a close contact of another case. “Hello and welcome to Friday. A Covid scare of our own overnight, we join you after a staffer tested positive,” Barr began alongside co-host Michael Usher. “The studio has been deep cleaned. We’ve all been tested. “Eddy (Bartholomew) is a close contact so she’s isolating but is all right. And Kochie (David Koch) was already having the day off so Michael is here.” Bartholomew later interviewed on the show, telling her fellow co-hosts that she tested negative but would still have to quarantine for 14 days. “It was a huge fright. Huge fright,” Bartholomew said. “It was such a sleepless night. If I had it, my husband would have it, he has chronic fatigue, my daughter would have it. “The thought that I would infect the rest of my family with this hideous, hideous condition was just so scary.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843473/sunrise-edwina-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0c6b3d6a823f433ab327baefe6206ef3" /> Deep clean of the Sunrise Headquarters. Image: Channel 7 Channel 7 has set up a rapid antigen testing station for employees who have been unable to work from home. “Seven’s number one priority is the health, safety and welfare of all staff and the community” the network said in a statement. Barr is fully jabbed, as well as Koch and Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta. Bartholomew, who is pregnant with her second child, has had just one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

News

First COVID cruise death since restart of cruising scene

Carnival cruises has marked their first death since the cruise scene kicked back up, after a 77-year-old woman died from contracting COVID-19. The woman departed on the Carnival Vista with her family on July 31, to sail to Belize, and soon tested positive for the novel virus after experiencing respiratory complications. 27 people tested positive over two weeks in late July and early August – the highest number of cases since cruises begun sailing again. The New York Times reported she was a great-grandmother from Oklahoma. The woman was admitted to a hospital in Belize and was put on a ventilator before being evacuated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and undergoing treatment. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843412/g.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3be7c24f240b449da71e788aa5c08365" /> Images: Getty Images The outbreak aboard the ship was discovered on the fourth day of an eight-day cruise. Twenty-six of those who tested positive were all crew members except for one passenger. The Texas Governor, Greg Abbott previously signed a law banning businesses from requiring proof of vaccination, however more than 96 per cent of passengers and all but one crew member on the Carnival Vista were fully vaccinated. Authorities are unsure if the woman who has since passed was fully vaccinated or not. “We are very sorry to hear about the death of a guest who sailed on Carnival Vista,” Carnival said in a statement. “Regrettably, there is a fair amount of disinformation about the circumstances of this matter. “The guest almost certainly did not contract COVID on our ship, and she was assisted with expert medical care on board and was ultimately evacuated from Belize after we provided a resource to her family. We have continued to provide support to her family and are not going to add to their sadness by commenting further.” Carnival has updated its vaccination policy that states a majority of guests will be required to be vaccinated. They must also present negative results of a COVID-19 test taken within three days before boarding a ship. Carnival has also states all passengers are required to wear a mask while indoors from August 7. “We have always required vaccinations. From our restart in July, 95+% guests have been vaccinated. We meet the definition of a vaccinated cruise,” a Carnival spokesperson said. “And we added the testing requirement on July 28. (August) 28 is when new guidelines for the Bahamas go into effect.”

Cruising

Dieter Brummer's mum opens up about her tragic loss

Dawn Brummer, is living through a difficult time since losing her son to suicide two weeks ago. But, she admits, she is finding comfort in reading all the stories about him. "I'm reading all the stories about him and I'm finding them so beautiful," Dawn, 84, tells 9Honey. "I feel happy to have read them, because there are such wonderful things being said about him." Dieter died aged 45 and news of his death was sent all around the world and particularly here in Australia, where he was born and became famous playing Shane Parrish on Home and Away from the age of 16. Dawn has said: "He was a very humble person. I think you've probably read about his life, about how he loved abseiling because he felt he didn't have to deal with people recognising him all the time." Dieter grew up with his mum in The Hills district in Sydney's north-west. Dawn remembers trying to pick her son up from the local shopping centre after he started appearing on the popular Australian show. "I couldn't see him,” says Dawn. “But I could see about 20 girls in a group outside the shops and I thought, 'That's where he is,'" she remembers. Dieter learnt to deal with being famous He became so well-known he wasn’t able to go to a restaurant without people coming up to him. It would have been a lot of attention for a teenager to have thrust on him. He dealt with the fame but later, he struggled to find steady acting work, as many Australian actors do. After appearing on Home and Away from 1992 until 1996, for which he was nominated for a Gold and Silver Logie Award, he went on to star in a number of other shows throughout the nineties. In the 2000s he joined the cast of Underbelly, Neighbours and Winners & Losers. But due to the irregular nature of acting jobs, Dieter trained as an industrial rope access technician and started his own business which saw him abseiling between high-rise buildings in the city. Dawn says he loved it. Dieter’s father died four years ago and Dieter moved back to the family's Glenhaven home. It proved to be a perfect escape from what was proving to be a difficult time for him, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and work for his business dried up. "I think people with depression don't talk about it, it's just their little secret," Dawn says. "We're just assuming that's what he suffered, and he made an awful mistake." Since news of Dieter’s death has been in the media, Dawn has been contacted by "hundreds" of his fans, sharing their condolences. Dawn hopes other realise suicide is not an answer Dawn says she hopes people will learn from the tragedy of Dieter’s death and realise that suicide is not an answer: "Maybe some of those people who are grieving for him will think about the hole they would leave behind," she adds. "He ended his pain, but the rest of the world who 'knew' him are now in pain. If one person is contemplating suicide just a little, maybe now they will think about how it will affect their mum, their brothers and sisters, partner and friends and the wider range of people who know them." Dawn has been writing her thoughts down since her son's death as a form of "therapy", hoping they will eventually form part of a book and perhaps save even more lives. "In the book, I draw an analogy that his death is like a stone being thrown into a pond and ripples are getting wider and wider and the effects are never ending," she says. "I have friends whose children have taken their own lives. One friend said to me it happened 20 years ago and they are still not over it." Dieter “seemed so happy” Shortly before his death, Dawn says Dieter "seemed so happy". "An old mate had given him a job, which he had just started. He was so excited,” said Dawn. “That was only a couple of days before we were locked down. It was hard to look to the future. Initially we were told it was for two weeks, and then four weeks, and then six weeks." Dawn is at a loss as to the exact circumstances of her son's death. "I said to someone today he made a mistake he couldn't undo," she said. Dieter has since been laid to rest. Dawn says on the day of her son's funeral, Lifeline reported the highest number of calls they’d received in 58 years, a sure sign of just how much some Australians are struggling now. "Maybe sharing my story might help one person or two people," she hopes. The funeral was difficult due to current restrictions which state there can only be 10 attendees at funerals in NSW now. "We had to pick and choose and there were so many who wanted to attend," Dawn says. "His friends were not celebrities." In memory of her son and to help others who may be suffering from depression, Dawn has set up a <a href="https://au.gofundme.com/f/dieter-brummer-for-beyond-blue?qid=2ec87b78cc8f9006a4394eea64e9924c">GoFundMe page to raise money for Beyond Blue</a>. "I haven't got a specific figure in mind," she explains. "I'm just thinking that if there can be a positive out of such a huge negative, maybe this is it.". If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline on 13 11 14</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636</a>. Image: Getty Images

Caring

Right to die: Pauline Hanson’s confronting COVID claim

Pauline Hanson has been shut down for spreading misinformation regarding COVID. The One Nation leader said she “would not be bullied” into getting jabbed. While in conversation with Sky News political reporter Tom Connell, she talked down the effectiveness of the vaccines. However, Senator Hanson was cut off multiple times when she started spreading inaccurate information during the 10-minute interview. “I won't be bullied or threatened into having the vaccine,” she said. “If people like myself haven't had the vaccine, then I get Covid and die from it, that's my choice.” Connell went on to tell Senator Hanson that her decision to not get vaccinated could have fatal impacts for those around her. “So does anyone who's had the vaccine Tom, it doesn't stop you from passing Covid on,” she fired back. Connell quickly shot back that Senator Hanson's claims were extremely exaggerated and dangerously undermined the vaccine rollout. “Well it actually doesn't. That's actually untrue, senator,” he said. Connell went on to agree that the vaccines aren't entirely 100 per cent effective. He went on to say however that those who receive Pfizer are 80 per cent less likely to get Covid while AstraZeneca gives 60 per cent protection. “That’s a fact in all the studies that have been done,” he added. Senator Hanson says she just wants Australians to have the freedom to make their own decisions. She also said she’d never had the flu before, which was a possible side effect of taking the vaccine. “It didn't stop them from getting the flu,” she said. “Let people do their research, let them make an informed decision of what is best for them and their health situation.” “Give them the opportunity to make sure the vaccine is there for people to have it, but you’ve got to have an end date to all this and I’m saying the first of December,” she said. “Give people the opportunity, have the vaccines, and if people like myself who hasn’t had the vaccine, then I get Covid-19 and I died from it, that’s my choice.”

News

“Fit” Sydney mum details battle with COVID Virus: “This virus is hell”

A Sydney woman diagnosed with COVID has shared her hellish battle in a series of heartbreaking posts. Melissa Green knew something was very, very wrong when she was admitted to hospital on 19 July after her oxygen levels dropped. She described that she and her partner Dion were both “fit and healthy” when they were struck down with the virus. Eventually, it also infected their three-year-old daughter Lola. Melissa told 7NEWS.com.au that she and her family had been “shocked” to receive positive results for COVID, after taking all the necessary precautions. She said in a detailed post that her family were “all OK”, aside from Dion who lost his sense of smell and taste. However just a day later, Melissa reported that fingertip oxygen monitors showed her oxygen level was “lower than it should be” and her heart rate higher than normal. “Nothing to worry about, just body aches, chills and headaches,” the mum wrote at the time. “Dion is just feeling really fatigued like he has run a marathon but just been in bed. We will get through this,” she said. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842787/melissa-covid-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2c992b894da841749ea3ca49f7b5576c" /> Sadly just 48 hours later, the mum explained her partner was rushed to the hospital when he began to suffer from “severe chest pains” and had “difficulty breathing”. “He is one of the strongest and fittest people I know so this has been a total shock,” Melissa wrote on July 18. Dion was able to return home a day later, but Melissa’s oxygen levels were plummeting and she was taken to Emergency. Sharing a devastating image of herself in a hospital bed on July 20, Melissa urged people to “take this seriously.” “Vaccinate or not it’s everyone’s choice. But if you think our hospital system can deal with the virus by opening up, you have another thing coming,” Melissa wrote. “This variant is attacking the young, old, fit and healthy as well as those with health issues. Please take this seriously.” Melissa reported the next day she was still in hospital and facing her “hardest day yet”. “I’ve been fighting temps of 40C all day. I am still on oxygen and tomorrow I will start on tocilizumab and remdesivir and hopefully that will give me some relief,” she said. “I found out today that there are another 14 people here in the hospital and a good few in ICU. “Dion is still at home with Lola managing on his asthma plan but severely fatigued and short of breath but doing a great job taking care of our baby. “Hopefully tomorrow is a better day. One thing about this virus is you are up and down but when you hit the deck it’s worse than the time before. “The nurse tells me the next few days could be even harder.” Melissa came to Facebook the next day to share that her symptoms were on the up, noting that while she no longer had as much pain, she’d “lost control of things no one would wish to experience”. “This virus has torn me apart,” she wrote. “I am away from my baby and my partner all alone in a fishbowl of a room trying to fight to get back home to the two people I love with all my heart. “All I want is to get home and hold my baby tight. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842786/melissa-covid-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/936b9a61bd014462b423c6568451dc61" /> “Fingers crossed I’m on the way up.” On July 23 Melissa told family and friends in another post how she was likely to remain in hospital for another five days. “That’s another five days of no hugs with my baby, no hugs with my partner. “I cried and cried today all alone in a room fighting the hardest fight. “They tried to get me up and walking and I lasted 40 seconds before I collapsed on the bed - this is insane! “For someone who plays numerous games or netball and umpires weekly and now I can’t even walk for 40 seconds. What has this virus done to me? How long will I take to recover? Who knows? “I know everyone is doing it tough but trust me this place is the toughest both mentally and physically. Stay home everyone and stay safe.” On July 24, Melissa revealed it was her “hardest day yet”. “I woke this morning with the lowest levels of oxygen I have had since being here and had to fight with the doctors to leave me on the ward as I didn’t want to go to ICU,” she wrote. “At least where I am I have a window to the outside world.” Melissa said watching the Sydney lockdown protests left her “saddened”. “I believe in freedom and people’s rights but ... those out protesting have cost us all more time under lockdown so you only have yourselves to blame,” she wrote. After a week in hospital, Melissa admitted her heart was “breaking”. “This virus is hell,” she wrote. “It separates people from loved ones, rips your health apart and challenges you mentally. “Can people not see how contagious it is? Seriously, stay home so we can all see an end in sight.” Melissa told Facebook after eight days in hospital, she was finally home. “Recovering slowly, but I’ll get there,” she said. “Stay home and stay safe.” Images: Supplied

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