A new study confirms that taking multivitamins cannot reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease.
The best way to prevent the disease, according to researchers, is to consume fruits and vegetables, which are natural sources of vitamins and minerals.
Multivitamins And Heart Health
In the United States, about 76 percent of adults, or more than 170 million people, take multivitamins and minerals, according to a 2017 survey conducted by the Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of the Council for Responsible Nutrition.
Americans also spend around $21 billion on vitamin supplements every year. One of the reasons for this is that they believe it can improve their health and lower the risk of developing health problems including cardiovascular disease.
However, there are a number of previously published studies that suggest that multivitamins and minerals aren't actually worth it when it comes to the health of the heart.
In a new study published in an American Heart Association journal on July 10, researchers discovered no link between taking multivitamins and a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death related to cardiovascular disease.
In the study, the researchers analyzed the results of 18 previously published studies that involved over 2 million individuals from the United States, Germany, France, Sweden, and Japan. These participants were followed for an average of 12 years.
Finding
Based on the analysis, the researchers found that taking multivitamins did not prevent heart attacks, strokes, and death from cardiovascular disease. The finding is in line with guidelines from the American Heart Association, which does not recommend the use of multivitamins to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
It is also in agreement with the results of a recent study conducted by David Jenkins and colleagues from the University of Toronto in Canada, which showed that the most commonly used supplements have no consistent benefits in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and premature death.
Best Way To Lower Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
According to researchers, the best way to prevent cardiovascular disease is to adopt a healthy diet and consume many different types of fruits and vegetables, which are natural sources of vitamins and minerals.
The American Heart Association recommends eating eight or more fruit and vegetable servings every day. Any type of fruit or vegetable is considered to be good.
"Eat a healthy diet for a healthy heart and a long, healthy life," said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., the American Heart Association's chief medical officer for prevention and chief of the Association's Centers for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Sanchez did not take part in the study.
"There's just no substitute for a balanced, nutritious diet with more fruits and vegetables that limits excess calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, sugar and dietary cholesterol."
