CRN responds to new study on cardiovascular benefits of dietary supplements
In response to a new study that suggests the most common supplements — multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C— do not prevent cardiovascular events or prolong life, the Council for Responsible Nutrition has issued a statement urging those in scientific and medical communities not to disregard science that suggests the use of specific dietary supplements in combination with healthy diet and exercise can improve one’s health and cut healthcare costs.
The “Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for CVD Prevention and Treatment” study was published online earlier this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
“We are disappointed by the negative attention being given toward the most popular supplements because the research found they do not prevent cardiovascular disease. The multivitamin as well as vitamins D and C are equally beneficial for overall health and wellness. They are not intended for cardiovascular disease prevention, so we shouldn’t expect the data to demonstrate otherwise,” said Duffy MacKay, CRN’s senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, in the prepared statement.
Continued MacKay, “There is a real life need for dietary supplements, and the argument that Americans get all the nutrients they need from food alone is inaccurate. As indicated in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, vitamins D and C, along with many other nutrients you’ll find in a multivitamin, are identified as shortfall nutrients. To dismiss their benefit is to do a great disservice to the American populations who are not getting enough of these critical nutrients from their diets.”
The study did, however, highlight the important role that vitamin B-complex and folic acid can play in reducing the risk of stroke. A finding that drew praise.
“The most significant finding in this review is the beneficial role vitamin B-complex and folic acid can play in reducing the risk of stroke. Stroke is one of the leading killers in America, and thus we should feel nothing but enthusiasm for this new review which presents significant promise for advancements in the risk reduction of cardiovascular disease,” MacKay stated.
The “Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for CVD Prevention and Treatment” study was published online earlier this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
“We are disappointed by the negative attention being given toward the most popular supplements because the research found they do not prevent cardiovascular disease. The multivitamin as well as vitamins D and C are equally beneficial for overall health and wellness. They are not intended for cardiovascular disease prevention, so we shouldn’t expect the data to demonstrate otherwise,” said Duffy MacKay, CRN’s senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, in the prepared statement.
Continued MacKay, “There is a real life need for dietary supplements, and the argument that Americans get all the nutrients they need from food alone is inaccurate. As indicated in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, vitamins D and C, along with many other nutrients you’ll find in a multivitamin, are identified as shortfall nutrients. To dismiss their benefit is to do a great disservice to the American populations who are not getting enough of these critical nutrients from their diets.”
The study did, however, highlight the important role that vitamin B-complex and folic acid can play in reducing the risk of stroke. A finding that drew praise.
“The most significant finding in this review is the beneficial role vitamin B-complex and folic acid can play in reducing the risk of stroke. Stroke is one of the leading killers in America, and thus we should feel nothing but enthusiasm for this new review which presents significant promise for advancements in the risk reduction of cardiovascular disease,” MacKay stated.