. . . Older Iowan women do just as well or better without taking a multi The first study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, followed almost 39,000 women for 19 years. The women were age 55-69 when the study began. By the study's end, about 40% of them had died: 41% of multivitamin users died compared to 40% of non-users. Similar close comparisons were found for women taking or not taking individual nutrients; sometimes the supplement-takers came out a little ahead, and sometimes the non-supplement-takers fared a bit better. Not a big difference, and a far cry from proof that supplements increase the risk of death (as implied by some media headlines reporting this study). At the same time, these results are not encouraging if you're spending your hard-earned money on supplements hoping to improve your chances of a long, healthy life. There've been many criticisms of this study, which has been called a good example of "junk science," but here's the main problem: all the dat…

. . . a disease-care system out of control Most patients like to believe that their doctors' decisions regarding treatment are motivated by concern for patient health. However, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, all too many physician decisions are motivated by fear and greed, leading to an epidemic of over-treatment. In a survey of 627 members of the AMA, 75% admitted to over-treating patients due to fears of malpractice charges, while 62% agreed that diagnostic testing would be reduced if it didn't generate revenue. Since doctors are paid for both procedures and tests, the temptations to over-test and over-treat are great. Doctors also say they do more tests because they don't get enough time with their patients. Meanwhile another study found that in 2009 over $6.7 billion in excess healthcare spending was wasted in the primary care setting alone (primary care refers to health practitioners like family doctors who make initial assessments and oft…