As outrageous as these statements sound, they burst into public view recently with an ongoing battle between Dr. Matthias Rath, a former Linus Pauling researcher, and The Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa. The public battle ensued after Dr. Rath published a full-page ad in the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune advocating vitamin therapy over anti-AIDS drug therapy. Coinciding with these full-page newspaper ads is a legal battle underway in South Africa where The Treatment Action Campaign seeks to censor statements made by Dr. Rath.

Dr. Rath cites a study by Harvard Medical School researchers that showed dietary supplements slow the progression of AIDS and resulted in a significant decline in viral count. [New England Journal of Medicine 351: 23-32, 2004] Harvard researchers responded by saying vitamin therapy is important but may not replace anti-viral drug therapy.

Diet promoted over supplements

UNICEF and WHO advocate a balanced diet rather than supplements despite the fact AIDS patients have nutritional needs that exceed what the best diet can provide. AIDS patients often exhibit nutrient deficiencies due to malabsorption or diarrhea. Vitamin E, one of the supplemental nutrients provided in a cocktail developed by Dr. Rath for AIDS patients, is known to reduce the incidence of diarrhea. [STEP Perspectives 7:2-5, 1995]

RDA for vitamin C is bogus

Furthermore, the RDA for vitamin C established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), referred to by the Treatment Action Campaign, was established using testing methods that have been proven to be inaccurate. A study published last year in the Annals of Internal Medicine by NIH scientists clearly shows much higher vitamin C levels can be achieved with oral dosing than previously thought possible. [Annals Internal Medicine 140:533-7, 2004]. Twelve noted antioxidant researchers have petitioned the Food & Nutrition Board to review the RDA for vitamin C now that it is apparent the RDA is based upon flawed research (www.knowledgeofhealth.com). Steve Hickey PhD and Hilary Roberts, pharmacology graduates of Manchester University, have authoritatively outlined the flaws in the current RDA for vitamin C. [www.lulu.com/ascorbate]

Furthermore, the RDA was established for healthy people and does not apply to patients with serious infectious disease such as AIDS patients.

Health groups tip their hand

This battle over vitamin supplements may be a foretaste of what will happen later this year when a worldwide body called Codex Alimentarius will meet to establish upper limits on vitamin and mineral supplements. Codex is governed under the auspices of the United Nations and World Health Organization. These health organizations are tipping their partiality for drugs over nutritional supplements.