Vitamins and supplements do not prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). In any discussion regarding the use of dietary supplements, we need to begin with that salient point. There have been numerous studies using both individual supplements and multivitamins, and the evidence shows a resounding lack of benefit.
Negative Data Abound
Christopher Labos, MD CM, MSc, FRCPC
Back in 1996, the Physicians' Health Study randomly assigned 22,071 men to receive beta-carotene or placebo for 12 years and showed no difference in CVD, or for that matter in malignant neoplasms or overall mortality.[1] In fact, other evidence showed that beta-carotene might actually increase the risk for lung cancer in smokers.[2] The Women's Health Study of almost 40,000 women older than 45 years compared beta-carotene with placebo and also found no benefit in terms of stroke, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death.[3]The evidence for vitamin C and vitamin E has been equally disappointing, despite great hope that as antioxidants, they would have some benefit. The second Physicians' Health Study compared vitamin E, vitamin C, or both against placebo in over 14,500 men and found no reduction in stroke, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular mortality.[4] The Women's Antioxidant Cardiovascular Studytested beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E in 8171 women over 9 years of follow-up and also found no benefit.
