"Results were consistent in the majority of subgroups examined, but no such associations were observed for those [more than] 55 years old, non-whites, or the obese."

"The inverse association of sodium to CVD mortality seen here raises questions regarding the likelihood of a survival advantage accompanying a lower sodium diet. These findings highlight the need for further study of the relation of dietary sodium to mortality outcomes."

"By ignoring the overwhelming scientific consensus on this issue, Alderman appears to condone the ‘do nothing' approach favoured [sic] by some elements of the food industry (who have much to gain commercially from the status quo).... The proponents of the ‘do nothing' approach have no case for the status quo as the preferred public health option. In fact, the body of scientific knowledge affords no basis for valid debate; efforts to promote the idea that there is a scientifically grounded ‘controversy' in this area—as in the area of tobacco and disease—are scientifically unsound and detrimental to health. With his faulted methodological thrust involving a heterogeneous mix of errors and omissions, Alderman has no trouble coming to conclusions about salt and blood pressure which are contrary to repeated expert group reviews, and supportive of the position adopted by special commercial interests." (International Journal of Epidemiology).

"Reducing salt intake is tough to do in a country where even breakfast cereal is salt laden.... So I suspect the sickest people are those that work hardest to cut their salt intake. It should come as no surprise to learn that the sickest people have the highest mortality rate".

"We have more and stronger antihypertensive medications than ever before.... So yes, you can have your salt and normal blood pressure, too—if you don't mind better living through pharmacotherapy...

Dr. David L. Katz, Associate clinical professor of public health
Director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine.

"[T]hose given both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate were more likely than those given placebo to have a decrease in pain (79 percent vs. 54 percent)."

"Exploratory analyses suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain."

Clegg and others from the Division of Rheumatology, University of Utah School of Medicine. (NEJMAbstract).

"On the basis of these results, it seems prudent to tell our patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee that neither glucosamine hydrochloride nor chondroitin sulfate alone has been shown to be more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of knee pain." (Cited by Dr Ray Sahelian.)

"The biggest study ever of calcium and vitamin D supplements for older women suggests they offer only limited protection against broken bones...."

"The study also checked whether the supplements might help prevent colon cancer, and the results indicated there was no benefit."

"The findings were an offshoot of the big national study of diet and hormone therapy known as the Women's Health Initiative."

Source: CNN Health, 15 February, 2006.

But Take a Closer Look

"However, women over age 60 reduced their chances of hip fracture by 21 percent with the supplements."

"Many women sometimes missed their daily dose—a common phenomenon in real-world testing—but those who took their supplements most faithfully lowered their risk by 29 percent."

Study Limitations