According to the CDC, nearly six in 10 Americans were taking regular dietary supplements in 2018. Last year, Americans spent nearly $ 50 billion on vitamins and supplements. However, the research team says that there is no “magic set of pills to keep you healthy”. On the contrary, diet and exercise are still the key to good health. “Patients keep asking, ‘What supplements should I take?’ says lead author Dr. Jeffrey Linder of Northwestern University in a media release. “They waste money and focus on believing that there must be a magic pill that will keep them healthy when we all need to follow the evidence-based practices of healthy eating and exercise.”
Some supplements could cause cancer, not prevent it
Multivitamin tablets are especially popular as they contain a mixture of about twelve vital nutrients. The Association of Healthy Food Manufacturers says more than a third of people feel they are not getting everything they need through their diet. However, a systematic review of 84 studies found “insufficient evidence” that taking multivitamins, combination or single supplements prevents cardiovascular disease and cancer. A team from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of evidence-based experts, conducted this review. “The team does not say ‘do not take multivitamins,’ but there is an idea that if they were really good for you, we would know by now,” Linder explains. They specifically advise you not to take beta-carotene supplements because of the potentially increased risk of lung cancer. “The bad thing is that by talking to patients about supplements during the very limited time we have to see them, we are missing out on tips on how to actually reduce cardiovascular risk, such as through exercise or smoking cessation,” she says. study.
There is a special combination in your fruits and vegetables
Writing in JAMA, Dr. Linder and his colleagues say that more than half of American adults take vitamins and supplements, with their popularity expected to increase significantly over the next decade. Consumption of fruits and vegetables leads to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to the team. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that essential vitamins and minerals could be extracted and packaged in one pill – saving you the hassle and expense of maintaining a balanced diet. Unfortunately, researchers explain that whole fruits and vegetables contain a mixture of vitamins, phytochemicals, fiber, and other nutrients that may be needed to boost your health. Micronutrients individually can act differently on the body than when naturally packaged with a range of other nutrients. Dr. Linder notes that people with vitamin deficiencies can still benefit from taking supplements such as calcium and vitamin D. Previous studies have shown that they can prevent fractures and falls in older adults. The revised guidelines do not apply to women who are pregnant or planning to start a family. “Pregnant women should keep in mind that these guidelines do not apply to them,” says co-author Dr. Natalie Cameron, professor of general internal medicine at Northwestern. “Some vitamins, such as folic acid, are essential for pregnant women to support the healthy development of the fetus. The most common way to meet these needs is to take a prenatal vitamin. “More data is needed to understand how these vitamin supplements can modify the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular complications during pregnancy.”
Exceeding the cost of healthy eating
Recent research has shown that most women in the US have poor heart health before becoming pregnant. Dr. Cameron says discussing vitamin supplements and optimizing cardiovascular health before pregnancy is an important component of prenatal care. However, a healthy diet can be a challenge when American food manufacturers focus on processed products that contain fat, sugar and salt. “Adopting a healthy diet and exercising more is easier said than done, especially among lower-income Americans,” says co-author Dr. Jenny Jia. “Healthy food is expensive and people do not always have the means to find environments to exercise – they may not be safe outdoors or they may not be able to afford a facility. “So what can we do to help make it easier and help support healthier decisions?” Dr. Jia works with food charities and banks that provide free groceries to help people make healthier choices and encourage donors to make healthier choices or money. South West News writer Mark Waghorn contributed to this report.
