Study: Are Multivitamins for Heart Health a Waste of Money?
People who take multivitamins for heart health should stop buying them, as they are a waste of money, a recent study says. [1]
Multivitamins are a big market, raking in $21 billion each year. One in 3 Americans take multivitamins or minerals, but the latest study on the subject shows that they might not be worth the cost.
Researchers recently looked at 18 previously published studies on multivitamins, tracking more than 2 million people for an average of 12 years.
Their work revealed that multivitamins and mineral supplements do nothing to prevent heart attacks, strokes, or death from cardiovascular disease.
Read: The Truth About Most Vitamins and Supplements
The findings align with guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA), who advise against using multivitamins or minerals to prevent cardiovascular disease. [2]
In a statement, Dr. Joonseok Kim, an assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, commented:
“It has been exceptionally difficult to convince people … to acknowledge the multivitamin and mineral supplements don’t prevent cardiovascular disease. I hope our study findings help decrease the hype around multivitamin and mineral supplements and encourage people to use proven methods to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases – such as eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising, and avoiding tobacco.”
Read: Study Finds WHOLE Foods (Not Supplements) Harness Amazing Protective Properties
While taking multivitamin and mineral supplements didn’t decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, Kim and his colleagues also found that people taking multivitamin and mineral supplements were no more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, or die from heart disease, compared with those who didn’t take the supplements.
Kim said:
“Although multivitamin and mineral supplements taken in moderation rarely cause direct harm, we urge people to protect their heart health by understanding their individual risk for heart disease and stroke, and working with a healthcare provider to create a plan that uses proven measures to reduce risk.”
The study is published in the AHA journal Circulation.
A Couple Things to Think About
One thing to consider is whether or not the studies focused on synthetic vitamins and minerals, or those derived from natural whole food sources. It’s likely that the majority of studies focused on the former synthetic version, as synthetic vitamins make up the majority of the supplement market.
Studies have shown a difference between synthetic and natural vitamins in terms of quality, so it’s something to consider when swallowing these conclusions.
Of course, whether taking synthetic or natural vitamins, it’s important for everyone to realize what these supplements actually are: supplements. They not meant to replace an overall healthy lifestyle rich in proper nutrition, exercise, and de-stressing activities.
This is an important takeaway, as an alarming number of people are usually looking for the quickest, easiest solution – such as taking a health-boosting pill.
Sources:
[1] CBS News
[2] Live Science
