by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 27/97) - Young people with balanced diets can take a pass on vitamins. For the rest of us, vitamin supplements can either help maintain our health or improve our chances of remaining active to a ripe old age.

"If a person has a proper dietary intake, you don't really need them," said Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist and owner Daryl Dolynny.

Dolynny agreed with Sutherland Drugs pharmacist Ken Dragon that the benefits of vitamins increase as people get older.

"Older people can usually benefit from a vitamin supplement," said Dragon. "Their diets tend to suffer, they don't eat as much and have less variety."

For those over 50 years of age, vitamins can help with resistance of osteoporosis, a bone degenerative disease.

"Osteoporosis is a common denominator with an increase in age," noted Dolynny. He said supplements of calcium and vitamin D can help bones resist the disease.

Both pharmacists recommended anyone considering taking vitamins consult at least one health professional.

Dolynny said he's seen a steady increase in the popularity of vitamins as the public's knowledge of vitamins has increased.

"Vitamins have probably been one of the fastest growing sections of our store in the last five to ten years," he said, adding the store just completed a retrofit that expanded the vitamin section by 30 per cent.

Part of that section is a family of nutritional aids that has grown in popularity: herbs.

"We could probably double our section by putting in a big line of herbs," said Dragon. He added that, though studies have been carried out on the effects of herbal remedies, they have not been as rigorous as those applied to other medicines.

Anti-oxidants, like vitamins C and E and beta carotene, have increased in popularity with claims that they can help prevent cancer.

Vitamins, like all things, must be taken in moderation.

"Despite the popular belief that you can take as much as you want, too much of anything is bad," said Dragon.

People should be particularly careful to take vitamins A, D, E and K in their recommended dosages, said Dolynny.

Taken excessively, even vitamin C can be harmful, said Dragon. Taken over the long term, more than two grams per day can make urine acidic and eventually develop crystals, a painful prospect at the very least.

Amino acids are more dietary supplements widely used by athletes, but which can also help non-athletes.

"They're safe, healthy and natural," said Bob Dunbar of amino acids. Dunbar's Yellowknife company, Extreme Pharmaceuticals, specializes in amino acids.

Earlier this month a national television program broadcast reports challenging and claiming the amino acid glucosamine's effectiveness in relieving arthritis pain.

Like Dolynny and Dragon, Dunbar recommended anyone consult a health care professional before taking amino acid supplements.