Staying Healthy
Supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer not justified
In the journals
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently announced that there was insufficient evidence for using most vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer in most healthy adults.
In a stronger position, the task force also recommended against using vitamin E or beta carotene to prevent heart disease or cancer, noting that in high-risk people, like smokers, these supplements could increase the risks of developing lung cancer and of dying from heart disease or stroke. However, people with nutritional deficiencies or requirements may benefit from specific vitamins and supplements and should speak with a doctor. The USPSTF based its suggestions on a review of 78 studies.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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