Poison Control Stastics show safety of Supplements

[Guest guest]

Hi Health Activists,

I recently sent around the Poison Control Statistics showing their were no

deaths associated with vitamins in the reports of 2009 and 2008. Since

there are other dietary supplements, I have reviewed the reports and am pleased

to report that there were only 3 reports of death associated with all

other supplements in both years.

In 2009 there were 2 associated with electrolytes and minerals, 1 iron or

iron salts and 1 sodium or sodium salts and one other unknown supplement. In

2008 there were three associated with electrolytes and minerals, all

sodium and sodium salts. I have been recording these statistics going back to

2001, see table below.

Since sodium is a cause of increased blood pressure and the

sodium-potassium balance is important for cardiovascular function, this might

explain

that. The use of single supplements might be a problem.

Since millions of supplements are taken each year this is a very safe

record, with the small numbers as easily attributable to statistical error in

counting, By comparison the number of deaths associated with pharmaceuticals

in 2009 was 497 up from 350 in 2008 according to the Poison Control Center

report.

Copies of the Entire Report of the American Association of Poison Control

Centers is available at:

_http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/NPDSPoisonData/NPDSAnnualReports.aspx_

(http://www.cihfimediaservices.org/12all/lt.php?c=153 & m=230 & nl=3 & s=8055c58c1bc02\

ffe1e64

d8e5ce2f0ac6 & lid=1378 & l=-http--www.aapcc.org/dnn/NPDSPoisonData/NPDSAnnualRe

ports.aspx)

YEAR

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Vitamins

0

2

4

3

1

1

0

0

Multi w iron

1

2

1

Vit E

1

1

Vit B6

1

Vit C

1

Vit D

1

Unknown

1

1

Electrolytes & Minerals

7

5

8

9

13

3

1

3

2

Iron/iron salts

1

4

2

1

3

1

Potassium

1

3

7

4

Magnesium

5

1

2

1

Zinc

1

1

Calcium

1

1

Sodium/sodium salts

2

2

2

3

1

Chromium

1

Amino Acids

0

0

0

0

0

Herbs & Botanicals

7

3

13

10

4

1

Ephedra in Combination

3

2

2

2

Epedra-single ingredient

3

1

3

5

1

Kava Kava

1

1

Yohimbe

2

St.s Wort

1

Valerian

1

Multi Botanicalw/o ephedra

1

Citrus Aurintheum

2

0

Multi Botan w citrus Aurintheum

1

0

Other Multi Botanical

3

Other Single Botanical

2

Hormonal Product

Melatonin

4

Homeopathic

2

0

0

2

Unknown Supp/Homeopathic

2

1

Other Supplements

3

Glucosamine

1

Blue-Green Algae

1

Other single ingred non Botanic

1

1

Asian Cultural Medicine

1

TOTAL

19

11

25

22

27

3

3

3

3

Arnold