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posted by mrpg on Wednesday May 30 2018, @03:26AM   Printer-friendly
from the same-thing-for-systemd dept.

Most popular vitamin and mineral supplements provide no health benefit, study finds

The most commonly consumed vitamin and mineral supplements provide no consistent health benefit or harm, suggests a new study led by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto.

Published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the systematic review of existing data and single randomized control trials published in English from January 2012 to October 2017 found that multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and vitamin C -- the most common supplements -- showed no advantage or added risk in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke or premature death. Generally, vitamin and mineral supplements are taken to add to nutrients that are found in food.

"We were surprised to find so few positive effects of the most common supplements that people consume," said Dr. David Jenkins*, the study's lead author. "Our review found that if you want to use multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium or vitamin C, it does no harm -- but there is no apparent advantage either."

The study found folic acid alone and B-vitamins with folic acid may reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke. Meanwhile, niacin and antioxidants showed a very small effect that might signify an increased risk of death from any cause.

What about people who would otherwise eat an incredibly nutrient-deficient diet (e.g. junk food, rice, bread, pasta, french fries, hot dogs, etc.)?

Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for CVD Prevention and Treatment (DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.04.020) (DX)


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  • (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Wednesday May 30 2018, @11:25AM

    by Phoenix666 (552) on Wednesday May 30 2018, @11:25AM (#686219) Journal

    I'm with you. Taking vitamins makes a big difference to my energy levels and mood. That's despite eating a diet that's replete with superfoods like kale and chia.

    I've also noticed that taking the vitamins and supplements right after a workout produces the best recovery time I've ever known, even better than drinking chocolate milk.

    --
    Washington DC delenda est.
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