More Support for Multivitamins in Lowering Heart Disease Death Risk
Long-term regular use of a multivitamin may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 16%, and vitamin E use was associated with a 28% decrease in risk, according to a new study.
The new study, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington, looked at 77,719 Washington State residents from 50-76 years old.
The results showed that the use of multivitamins was associated with a 16% decreased risk of death from Cardiovascular Disease. Intakes of vitamin E over 215 milligrams per day over the course of ten years were also associated with a 28% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Although the debate has gone back and forth over the use of multivitamins, even the medical profession has gotten behind their benefits.
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated, "Insufficient vitamin intake is the cause of chronic disease…Evidence shows that suboptimal levels, even those well above levels for sufficiency syndromes, are risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis….A large portion of the general population is at increased risk for this reason."
It goes onto say, "We recommend that all adults take a multivitamin daily. This practice is justified mainly by the known and suspected benefits of supplemental folate, vitamins B6 and B12 and vitamin D in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis, and because multi-vitamins at that dose are safe and inexpensive." In addition, the American Heart Association suggests that those who have had coronary heart disease events should take essential fatty acids daily.
And, a survey shows that 72% of physicians use dietary supplements themselves; of those, 87% used a multivitamin. Even more physicians and health care professionals (79%) recommend dietary supplements to their patients. The top five conditions they recommend supplements for are: bone health, overall health and wellness, joint health, heart health, and maintaining healthy cholesterol.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, adults are often deficient in calcium, magnesium, vitamin A (as carotenoids), vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E, although certain groups run even higher risks for vitamin and mineral deficits.
About half of the American population routinely uses dietary supplements, and 35% of the US adult population regularly consumes one or more types of multivitamin product.
When looking at multivitamins, it is important to take a complete daily supplement complex – something far beyond a basic multi-vitamin/mineral – that provides a full spectrum of nutrients, extracts, and other compounds together in the correct combinations, ratios and potencies. Basic Nutrient Support contains more than 60 vitamins, minerals, herbs, plant extracts, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and other nutrients.
For additional nutritional support for a specific condition, complement your program with an integrated supplement that addresses your health challenge in a comprehensive way. If cardiovascular disease is a concern Cardiovascular Support provides a powerful combination of nutrients and herbs that support all aspects of heart health.