Hazards of multivitamins

PHOTO: BBC ONLINE

An important back page medical report from London was published on 28th. December in a local English daily. It reported on the findings of a detailed French study, spread over some years. The report focused on the benefit or otherwise of daily intake of multivitamins, practiced by many of us in Bangladesh!
The study reported that for healthy adults, popping multivitamins daily may increase their risk of getting melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer! In that respect, it adds to the chances of becoming seriously sick. Can any one then take multivitamins, once aware of the potential risk?
It is in our interest that the matter is widely published in our print and audio-visual media, for creating widespread awareness. Logically it is therefore far safer to regularly eat fresh fruits and vegetables rather than multivitamins.
However, this option too is now unsafe in Bangladesh, given the widespread practice of ripening and increasing shelf life of raw fruits and vegetables by using dangerous drugs, during cultivation or prior to bulk sale. It is a classical case of opting for the lesser of the two evils; forced to choose between 'the devil and the deep sea'!
Possibly the best option will be to plant your own fruit trees and have a place for vegetable garden, wherever it is possible! Otherwise the choice is for you to make, between multivitamins and fresh fruits and vegetables!