Later in this long book Greger at least partially retracts a prior recommendation. A recent massive review suggests that vitamin D supplements, like other vitamin supplements except B-12, may not aid health or longevity except for those who are deficient. Many centenarians have very low serum levels of vitamin D and are in good health. Looking at the entire current literature only those with low vitamin D levels seem to benefit from supplements.

The range of ‘normal’ vitamin D levels is probably large, with some people doing very well with levels below the established normal range. Some of these people show little or no rise in D levels after supplementation.

Herbal supplements have become a multi-billion dollar business with no regulation by the FDA or any other government body. A study done in New York State analyzed herbal supplements bought at GNC, Walmart, Walgreens and a few other retail outlets. 80% had none of the herbs claimed on the labels! Usually all they had was some neutral filler. This massive fraud is being carried out by some of our largest retailers with few repercussions.

Greger also repeats that amla, dried, powdered Indian gooseberries, have well studied health benefits, as I discussed years ago in a blog. Amla has been a favorite Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and really does work better than many heavily used western prescription drugs at very low cost and with little chance of harm.

Amla lowers blood sugar in diabetics, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, lowers levels of systemic inflammation, all to a significant amount. It is also frequently effective treating heartburn and indigestion. Anyone with one or more of these problems should consider amla. Those with diabetes always have to monitor blood sugar to avoid hypoglycemia which can be very dangerous. Physicians treating diabetics with dietary change often run into this problem unless pharmaceutical diabetes treatments are decreased or stopped.