Two-in-five (41%) GPs believe their patients are overdosing on vitamins and remain in the dark about the negative effects some vitamins have on their health, the latest "Health of the Nation Index" reveals today.
Two-in-five (41%) GPs believe their patients are overdosing on vitamins and remain in the dark about the negative effects some vitamins have on their health, the latest "Health of the Nation Index" reveals today.
More than 80% of GPs say their patients don’t know that some everyday vitamins and vitamin supplements can react with common medication they may already be taking. For example, iron supplements can interact with antibiotics and make them less effective in fighting infection. And high doses of vitamin B6, used by many women for premenstrual tension, can cause nerve damage, while too much vitamin A taken during pregnancy can harm an unborn baby.
GPs are seeing more and more cases of vitamin misuse with 13% reporting that their patients suffered adverse side effects from vitamins in the last year.
Norwich Union Healthcare’s latest "Health of the Nation Index" found that nearly all (93%) GPs say their patients overestimate the health benefits of taking vitamins with many people using them as a substitute for a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
More than three-quarters (79%) of the GP Panel interviewed by independent healthcare research specialists, Dr Foster have seen a notable increase in the number of their patients self medicating with vitamin supplements over the last five years.
Dr Ann Robinson from the GP Panel, says: “If you have a healthy, balanced diet, you shouldn’t really need to be popping extra supplements. Most vitamins are safe but there’s a lot we don’t know yet about side effects and possible interactions with other drugs. My philosophy is always to stay away from all pills unless you really need them.”
41% of GPs feel that there is simply not enough information available about vitamins for people to make an informed decision on their own.
They also believe there should be stricter controls over the regulation of vitamin supplements - 81% of doctors support the new legislation calling for more testing, even if it would mean that some vitamin supplements are no longer available on the high street.
58% of GPs believe that the selling of vitamins should be restricted to appropriate health professionals such as pharmacists, rather than being freely accessible over the counter or purchased via the internet.
Dr Doug Wright from Norwich Union Healthcare, adds: “It’s easy for people to convince themselves that vitamins are a quick fix for an unhealthy lifestyle but people need to be aware of the potential dangers that lie in taking too many or mixing them with certain medication.”
The findings are part of Norwich Union Healthcare’s bi-annual "Health of the Nation Index", now in its third year, which tracks GPs’ views of the health service and the health of their patients.
The Index also reveals:
- Obesity remains the most pressing concern for 83% of GPs
- Contentment at work continues to rise each year with 53% of doctors expressing high/very high levels of job satisfaction compared to 42% 18 months ago (April 2004)
- GPs are also working fewer hours than 18 months ago - on average five hours less per week (45 hours per week, November 2005)
- Doctors believe that shorter waiting lists would be the most beneficial improvement for patients’ experience of the health service
- 74% of GPs believe that smoking cessation services are an effective use of NHS resources.
Roger Taylor, research director at Dr Foster, said: “People are bombarded every day with advertisements for products designed to make them healthier. What they need is accurate information about the things that really make a difference when it comes to looking after themselves.”
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Notes to editors:
Case studies available on request.
Norwich Union Healthcare commissioned Dr Foster to conduct research amongst approximately 250 practicing GPs from across the UK in September 2005.
About Norwich Union Healthcare
Norwich Union Healthcare was founded in 1990 as the healthcare arm of Norwich Union and now provides a range of income protection and private medical insurance products that cover over 870,000 lives. It is one of the largest providers of income protection and private medical insurance in the UK.
Norwich Union Healthcare is authorised and regulated by the Financial Service Authority and is a member of the Association of British Insurers and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
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About Dr Foster
Dr Foster is the leading independent authority on healthcare quality in the UK. It publishes information that is accessible to the general public and provides information analysis to the professional healthcare community.
An independent Ethics Committee with substantial powers to enforce editorial and research integrity oversees the organisation.
Further information is available at www.drfoster.co.uk