Multivitamins Lower Risk of Death from Heart Disease

Long-term regular consumption of a multivitamin may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 16%, according to recent findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. In addition, an intake of vitamin E over 215 mg per day over the course of ten years may result in a 28% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). This flies in the face of a well-publicized study about the ineffectiveness of these supplements on heart disease in particular.

University of Washington researchers reported that multivitamins did not decrease the risk of either total mortality, or cancer mortality. On the other hand, vitamin C and vitamin E were associated with small decreases in risk of total mortality. Specifically, the use of multivitamins and vitamin E decreased risk of death from CVD by 16% and 28%, respectively. These results after analyzing the 10-year use of multivitamin, vitamins C and E supplements of 77,719 Washington State residents aged between 50 and 76 that was obtained by questionnaire. (Pocobelli, G. et al. Am J Epidem. Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1093/aje/kwp167.)

This research contradicts conclusions from a controversial meta-analysis published originally in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2007, Vol. 297, pp. 842-857.), which reported that supplements of vitamin E, vitamin A and beta-carotene may increase mortality risk by up to 16%.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with 1 in 3 people dying from complications attributable to it. Prevention is key, and it makes sense to do all you can to reduce your risk. Take a comprehensive daily multivitamin to protect your cardiovascular health.

Pregnant Women Lack Vitamin D

9/25/2009 8:47:00 AM

BELFAST, Northern Ireland—Pregnant women, even those who use supplements, have insufficient levels of vitamin D, according to a new study

Researchers at Queen's University compared vitamin D levels in 99 Caucasian pregnant women at 12, 20 and 35 weeks of gestation to 38 non-pregnant women. Vitamin D levels were lower in the pregnant women with 96 percent classified as insufficient at 12 and 20 weeks, and 75 percent classified insufficient at 35 weeks.

Women who took multivitamins had higher levels of vitamin D than those who did not take a supplement, but levels were still classified as too low.

The researchers recommend pregnant women take higher dose vitamin D supplements in order to avoid rickets, schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes in their children.