Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
Authors: Sebastian J. Padayatty, Mark Levine
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2014)

Letters6 May 2014Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and CancerSebastian J. Padayatty, MD and Mark Levine, MDSebastian J. Padayatty, MDFrom National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. and Mark Levine, MDFrom National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L14-5009 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Fortmann and colleagues' meta-analysis (1) showed that vitamin and mineral supplementation provides little benefit and does not aid cognition (2) or prevent cardiovascular events (3). The authors concluded that supplements have no value. However, data constraints limit interpretation to a narrower conclusion: Supplementation in well-nourished persons does not affect the end points studied but may have other benefits or abolish signs and symptoms of unrecognized deficiencies, which are surprisingly common.Many studies of vitamin supplements are flawed, including Fortmann and colleagues' review, because vitamin concentrations at enrollment are usually not measured. It is predictable that study populations ...References1. Fortmann SP, Burda BU, Senger CA, Lin JS, Whitlock EP. Vitamin and mineral supplements in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: an updated systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:824-34. [PMID: 24217421] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Grodstein F, O'Brien J, Kang JH, Dushkes R, Cook NR, Okereke O, et al. Long-term multivitamin supplementation and cognitive function in men: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:806-14. [PMID: 24490265] LinkGoogle Scholar3. Lamas GA, Boineau R, Goertz C, Mark DB, Rosenberg Y, Stylianou M, et al; TACT (Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy) Investigators. Oral high-dose multivitamins and minerals after myocardial infarction: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159:797-805. [PMID: 24490264] LinkGoogle Scholar4. Schleicher RL, Carroll MD, Ford ES, Lacher DA. Serum vitamin C and the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency in the United States: 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;90:1252-63. [PMID: 19675106] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Padayatty SJ, Levine M. New insights into the physiology and pharmacology of vitamin C. CMAJ. 2001;164:353-5. [PMID: 11232136] MedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Sebastian J. Padayatty, MD; Mark Levine, MDAffiliations: From National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Disclosures: None. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=L14-0085. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoVitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: An Updated Systematic Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Stephen P. Fortmann , Brittany U. Burda , Caitlyn A. Senger , Jennifer S. Lin , and Evelyn P. Whitlock Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Yosef Dror and Felicia Stern Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Harri Hemilä Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Mark J. Bolland , Andrew Grey , and Ian R. Reid Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Stephen P. Fortmann , Evelyn P. Whitlock , and Brittany U. Burda Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Harri Hemilä Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Yosef Dror and Felicia Stern Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Mark J. Bolland , Andrew Grey , and Ian R. Reid Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Stephen P. Fortmann , Evelyn P. Whitlock , and Brittany U. Burda Metrics Cited byBias against Vitamin C in Mainstream Medicine: Examples from Trials of Vitamin C for InfectionsAlterations on vitamin C synthesis and transportation and egg deposition induced by dietary vitamin C supplementation in Hy-Line Brown layer modelSupplemental Vitamins and Minerals for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and TreatmentVitamin C: the known and the unknown and Goldilocks 6 May 2014Volume 160, Issue 9Page: 654KeywordsAttentionBlood pressureCancer preventionDisclosureFatiguePopulation statisticsQuality of lifeRecommended dietary allowanceSigns and symptomsVitamin C ePublished: 6 May 2014 Issue Published: 6 May 2014 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2014 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...