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Could Vitamin D Supplements Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer?
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs when pigment-producing cells become malignant. It is a particularly dangerous form of skin cancer because it can spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early.
A study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital found that fewer cases of melanoma were observed among regular users of vitamin D supplements. Experienced dermatologists also estimated that those taking vitamin D supplements regularly had a significantly lower skin cancer risk. The study, published in Melanoma Research, involved nearly 500 individuals at elevated risk for skin cancer and showed that those who took vitamin D supplements regularly had a reduced incidence of melanoma compared to non-users.
Vitamin D is vital for the proper functioning of the human body and may be implicated in various diseases. There has been extensive research on the relationship between vitamin D and skin cancers, with a focus on calcidiol, a metabolite of vitamin D, and its correlation with skin cancers. Previous studies have centered around examining serum levels of calcidiol and its link to skin cancers.
Findings from these studies have been inconclusive and even contradictory at times, as serum calcidiol levels have been associated with both a slightly higher and a slightly lower risk of different skin cancers. This may, in part, be explained by the fact that serum calcidiol analyses do not provide information on the metabolism of vitamin D in the human skin, which can express enzymes that generate biologically active vitamin D metabolites or inactivate them.
The new study, conducted under the North Savo Skin Cancer Programme, took a different approach: 498 adult patients estimated to have an increased risk of a skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma, were recruited at the dermatological outpatient clinic of Kuopio University Hospital. Experienced dermatologists at the University of Eastern Finland carefully analyzed the patients’ background information and medical history and examined their skin.
The dermatologists also classified the patients into different skin cancer risk classes, namely low risk, moderate risk, and high risk. Based on their use of oral vitamin D supplements, the patients were divided into three groups: non-users, occasional users, and regular users. Serum calcidiol levels were analyzed in half of the patients and found to correspond to their self-reported use of vitamin D.
A key finding of the study is that there were considerably fewer cases of melanoma among regular users of vitamin D than among non-users and that the skin cancer risk classification of regular users was considerably better than non-users. Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk for melanoma among regular users was considerably reduced, more than halved, compared to non-users.
The findings suggest that even occasional users of vitamin D may have a lower risk for melanoma than non-users. However, there was no statistically significant association between the use of vitamin D and the severity of photoaging, facial photoaging, actinic keratoses, nevus count, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Serum calcidiol levels were not significantly associated with these skin changes, either. Since the research design was cross-sectional, the researchers were unable to demonstrate a causal relationship.
Other relatively recent studies, too, have provided evidence of the benefits of vitamin D in melanoma, such as the association of vitamin D with less aggressive melanoma.
“These earlier studies back our new findings from the North Savo region here in Finland. However, the question about the optimal dose of oral vitamin D in order to for it to have beneficial effects remains to be answered. Until we know more, national intake recommendations should be followed,” Professor of Dermatology and Allergology Ilkka Harvima of the University of Eastern Finland notes.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital have previously reported (BMC Cancer 2021) that the melanoma mortality rate in North Savo is relatively high in relation to its incidence.
“For this reason, too, it is worth paying attention to the sufficient intake of vitamin D in the population in this region,” Harvima concludes.
Reference: “Regular use of vitamin D supplement is associated with fewer melanoma cases compared to non-use: a cross-sectional study in 498 adult subjects at risk of skin cancers” by Emilia Kanasuo, Hanna Siiskonen, Salla Haimakainen, Jenni Komulainen and Ilkka T. Harvima, 14 November 2022, Melanoma Research.
DOI: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000870
The Benefits of Taking Vitamin D Might Depend on Your Weight
The potential benefits of taking vitamin D supplements may be affected by your weight and height, new research suggests. The study found that overweight and obese people taking these supplements experienced a smaller increase of vitamin levels and other related markers relative to those with a lower body mass index.
The study is a reanalysis of the VITAL trial, a large-scale project that tested whether proactively taking vitamin D or marine omega-3 supplements could reduce older people’s risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease. The randomized, placebo-controlled trial was led by researchers from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts, which is affiliated with Harvard University. It overall found no significant effect from either type of supplementation on these outcomes. But some data also indicated that vitamin D supplementation was associated with benefits in those with a BMI lower than 25 (BMI between 18.5 to 25 is considered “normal”), specifically a smaller risk of developing cancer and autoimmune disease, as well as a lower cancer mortality.
To better understand this link, some of the same researchers decided to study blood samples taken from over 16,000 volunteers over the age of 50 involved in the trial. These samples allowed them to look at people’s total vitamin D levels as well as other biomarkers of vitamin D, like metabolic byproducts and calcium, before the study began. About 2,700 of these volunteers also came back for follow-up blood tests two years later.
The team found that people’s levels of vitamin D and these biomarkers generally increased following supplementation, no matter their BMI. But this increase was significantly less pronounced in those with a BMI over 25, the threshold for overweight and obesity. This dampening effect was also seen in people who had low levels of vitamin D at baseline, meaning those who would experience the greatest benefit from supplementation. The team’s findings were published Tuesday in JAMA Network Open.
“We observed striking differences after two years, indicating a blunted response to vitamin D supplementation with higher BMI,” said study author Deirdre Tobias, an associate epidemiologist in Brigham’s Division of Preventive Medicine, in a statement from Harvard. “This may have implications clinically and potentially explain some of the observed differences in the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation by obesity status.”
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As for why this may be happening, the researchers point to two possible theories. It’s possible, for instance, that higher levels of body fat may allow more vitamin D—a fat-soluble vitamin—to be pulled away from a person’s blood circulation and stored away. Obesity-related liver problems might also make it harder for people to metabolize vitamin D as effectively.
This is only one study, however, and more research will be needed to confirm the patterns seen here. But the authors say that their findings might eventually lead to a reevaluation of the positives and negatives of vitamin D supplementation and how to improve its use for people across the board. People with higher BMI, for example, may need higher doses of vitamin D to achieve the same benefits seen in those with lower body weight.
7 Surprising Benefits Of Vitamin D: Symptoms, Sources And Deficiency
A lot has been said about the importance of Vitamin D, especially in relation to bone health. But that’s not all, Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that is required to carry out many critical functions of the human body. All health experts and doctors recommend a Vitamin D test at least once in six months. In India, medical experts have seen an upsurge in Vitamin D deficiency cases – estimated to be between 70% and 85%. Also known as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, vitamin D is a unique vitamin that is produced in our skin in response to sunlight. Yes, sunlight. But due to the months-long pandemic, we all were pushed indoors. Vitamin D is associated with bone health, recent scientific evidence has spotlighted its role beyond just bone health, bringing it to the centre stage of public health. Vitamin D works like a hormone or prohormone in our body which makes it more important for us to focus on it.
Photo Credit: iStock
What is Vitamin D?
For the human body, two forms of Vitamin D are important – Vitamin D2 (also known as ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is obtained from dietary vegetable sources and oral supplements, whereas Vitamin D3 is obtained primarily from skin exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB). Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the regulation and absorption of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphate in the body. There are many signs and symptoms of vitamin D deficiency; one must keep a check on these signs and symptoms.
Also Read: 22 Vitamins And Minerals You Didn’t Know Your Body Needs
Photo Credit: iStock
What happens when your vitamin D is low? | Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency
Frequent infections, lower immunity. Vitamin D is directly involved in fighting infections, especially cold and flu. We have seen evidence of this in the recent COVID pandemic, which is also associated with respiratory infection.
Vitamin D helps improve the absorption of calcium and hence protects our bones from losing mass.
Depression is also one of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. While low Vitamin D may not be the cause, some studies have shown an improvement in symptoms of depression was seen with Vitamin Supplementation.
Fatigue and tiredness, and loss of sleep can be due to a decreased level of Vitamin D in our body.
Also Read: How Much Vitamin C Is Too Much Vitamin C? Expert Reveals
Photo Credit: iStock
Health Benefits Of Vitamin D
1. Healthy Bones and Muscles
As we know Vitamin D is known to boost bone health. But how? Vitamin D helps with the absorption of both calcium and phosphorus, both critical for bone health and growth. Moreover, it maintains the proper balance between Calcium and Phosphorus.
2. Keeps You Happy (Helps Manage Depression)
While Vitamin D is an important nutrient for overall health, it is also known to uplift mood. As per a recent study, vitamin D helps the production of serotonin and melatonin, which are known to manage our mood and sleep cycle. Vitamin D supplementation has shown an improvement in some symptoms of depression but not to the extent of making it a treatment.
3. Boosts Immunity
The active form of vitamin D helps improve immunity. It modulates innate immunity and thus protects against infections. During the COVID pandemic, we have seen the role of vitamin D to protect and aid treatment. Various studies have pointed to the protective effects of Vitamin D and respiratory functions.
Photo Credit: iStock
4. Control Diabetes
Vitamin D is associated with maintaining the adequate function of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas and also improving insulin sensitivity. In deficiency the opposite happens, increasing the risk of type-2 diabetes.
5. Manages Blood Pressure Level
Unstable blood pressure levels are a major risk factor for CVD. Recent clinical and observational studies have shown that Vitamin D has a positive role in managing blood pressure levels through metabolic pathways.
6. Healthy Heart
Our heart is a muscular organ. Vitamin D, as we know, keeps our muscles healthy and strong. A new study conducted by international researchers found that a diet rich in vitamin D may help improve heart health. The results of the study, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, suggested that the intake of foods high in vitamin D content may have heart-protective effects.
Photo Credit: iStock
7. May Prevent Cancer
Cancers of the colon and breast have been associated with low Vitamin D in observational studies. A meta-analysis of 16 prospective studies pointed to a reduction in cancer incidence by 11%, probably because of the vitamin support cell differentiation and inhibits proliferation. Vitamin D is found to have a role in the precipitation of autoimmune diseases like MS (multiple sclerosis).
Also Read: 5 Vitamin-K-Rich Foods You Must Add To Your Diet
Natural Sources Of Vitamin D:
Sunshine is a natural source of Vitamin D. National Institute of Nutrition recommends spending at least 20 minutes in the morning sun. Walk in the sunshine, read a book outdoors, or just sunbathe, but make sure to get your share.
Vitamin D-rich foods are very few. While fatty fish is the best source, Salmon, Tuna and sardines are excellent sources. Egg yolk provides a considerable amount of vitamin D. Vegetarian sources of vitamin D are few. You can add mushrooms, milk, yogurt, tofu, soybeans and cheese.
Note: Supplementation should only be taken under a doctor’s guidance as vitamin D overdose may lead to toxicity.
Photo Credit: iStock
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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Vitamin B Intake Can Prevent Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Diabetes
Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in 2019 based on 87,647 death certificates in which diabetes was listed as the underlying cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association. In 2019, 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3 percent of the population, had diabetes.
The latest survey by the International Diabetes Union found one in four diabetic patients interviewed reported they did not receive adequate information on the disease. As a result, many patients failed to care for complications properly, which seriously hindered their daily life.
Diabetes Causes Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic patients are often unaware of the relationship between peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. Hence, they may misinterpret sensations of physical paralysis as part of aging. Since symptoms of diabetes are not always apparent in the early phases, by the time some patients seek medical treatment, the disease may have progressed substantially.
Endocrine and Diabetes Specialist Practitioner Dr. Tsang Man-wo at United Christian Hospital points out that diabetes is the prominent cause of peripheral neuropathy. The nerve fibers in the surrounding nervous system are damaged, causing peripheral nerve injuries or microvascular dysfunction due to elevated blood sugar levels.
Peripheral neuropathy can lead to multiple health risks, including sensory loss, muscle atrophy, and shakiness, increasing the risk of injury and making everyday activities a challenge. Diabetic patients are prone to other severe health conditions, such as skin ulcers and diabetes mellitus foot-induced amputation.
How to Prevent Peripheral Neuropathy?
Tsang suggests the best way to prevent lesions or further deterioration by diabetes is to control blood sugar levels. In addition to blood sugar control, patients should maintain normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol, and exercise regularly.
Moreover, patients should take sufficient vitamins B1, B6, and B12 for more effective maintenance of the health of blood vessels and nervous systems.
Vitamin B1 deficiency impacts the heart and feet, damages nerves, and likely causes beriberi, also known as thiamine deficiency. The lack of vitamin B6 affects the blood and brain, signaling transduction of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 deficiency impacts the blood and nervous system regeneration, or worse, causes scurvy, malignant anemia, sensory loss, and dementia.
Metformin is a common drug for treating diabetes. However, the higher the dosage and prolonged use, especially for three years or more, may affect vitamin B12 absorption in the intestines, resulting in peripheral neuralgia.
Tsang says that by increasing the intake of B vitamins specifically for the nervous system, such as B1, B6, and B12, the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be relieved and prevented.
The doctor suggests that whenever patients encounter numbness in the limbs, particularly diabetics, they should not overlook the possibility of peripheral neuropathy and mistake it for arthritis or sciatica.
New Study Indicates This Vitamin Can Significantly Reduce Your Risk of Bone Fractures
Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, is a type of vitamin K that is found in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, kale, and spinach as well as fruits such as prunes, kiwis, and avocados. It is important for the proper functioning of the body’s blood clotting mechanism and for maintaining healthy bones.
A long-term study that analyzed the relationship between hospitalizations related to fractures and diet in nearly 1400 older women has found that vitamin K1 significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization.
Breaking bones can have a significant impact on one’s life, especially in older age when hip fractures can lead to disability, reduced independence, and an increased risk of mortality.
However, research from the Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute at Edith Cowan University has found that there may be steps you can take to reduce your risk of fractures later in life.
In collaboration with the University of Western Australia, the study looked at the relationship between fracture-related hospitalizations and vitamin K1 intake in almost 1400 older Australian women over a 14.5-year period from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women.
Dr. Marc Sim. Credit: Edith Cowan University
It found women who ate more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 consumption — equivalent to about 125g of dark leafy vegetables, or one to two serves of vegetables — were 31 percent less likely to have any fracture compared to participants who consumed less than 60 micrograms per day, which is the current vitamin K adequate intake guideline in Australia for women.
There were even more positive results regarding hip fractures, with those who ate the most vitamin K1 cutting their risk of hospitalization almost in half (49 percent).
Study lead Dr. Marc Sim said the results were further evidence of the benefits of vitamin K1, which has also been shown to enhance cardiovascular health.
“Our results are independent of many established factors for fracture rates, including body mass index, calcium intake, Vitamin D status, and prevalent disease,” he said.
“Basic studies of vitamin K1 have identified a critical role in the carboxylation of the vitamin K1-dependant bone proteins such as osteocalcin, which is believed to improve bone toughness.
“A previous ECU trial indicates dietary vitamin K1 intakes of less than 100 micrograms per day may be too low for this carboxylation.
“Vitamin K1 may also promote bone health by inhibiting various bone resorbing agents.”
So, what should we eat — and how much?
Dr. Sim said eating more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 daily was ideal — and, happily, it isn’t too difficult to do.
“Consuming this much daily vitamin K1 can easily be achieved by consuming between 75-150g, equivalent to one to two serves, of vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and cabbage,” he said.
“It’s another reason to follow public health guidelines, which advocate higher vegetable intake including one to two serves of green leafy vegetables — which is in line with our study’s recommendations.”
Reference: “Dietary Vitamin K1 intake is associated with lower long-term fracture-related hospitalization risk: the Perth longitudinal study of ageing women” by Marc Sim, Andre Strydom, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Nicola P. Bondonno, Rachel McCormick, Wai H. Lim, Kun Zhu, Elizabeth Byrnes, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewisabch and Richard L. Prince, 12 September 2022, Food & Function.
DOI: 10.1039/D2FO02494B
New Study Indicates This Vitamin Can Significantly Reduce Your Risk of Bone Fractures
Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, is a type of vitamin K that is found in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, kale, and spinach as well as fruits such as prunes, kiwis, and avocados. It is important for the proper functioning of the body’s blood clotting mechanism and for maintaining healthy bones.
A long-term study that analyzed the relationship between hospitalizations related to fractures and diet in nearly 1400 older women has found that vitamin K1 significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization.
Breaking bones can have a significant impact on one’s life, especially in older age when hip fractures can lead to disability, reduced independence, and an increased risk of mortality.
However, research from the Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute at Edith Cowan University has found that there may be steps you can take to reduce your risk of fractures later in life.
In collaboration with the University of Western Australia, the study looked at the relationship between fracture-related hospitalizations and vitamin K1 intake in almost 1400 older Australian women over a 14.5-year period from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women.
Dr. Marc Sim. Credit: Edith Cowan University
It found women who ate more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 consumption — equivalent to about 125g of dark leafy vegetables, or one to two serves of vegetables — were 31 percent less likely to have any fracture compared to participants who consumed less than 60 micrograms per day, which is the current vitamin K adequate intake guideline in Australia for women.
There were even more positive results regarding hip fractures, with those who ate the most vitamin K1 cutting their risk of hospitalization almost in half (49 percent).
Study lead Dr. Marc Sim said the results were further evidence of the benefits of vitamin K1, which has also been shown to enhance cardiovascular health.
“Our results are independent of many established factors for fracture rates, including body mass index, calcium intake, Vitamin D status, and prevalent disease,” he said.
“Basic studies of vitamin K1 have identified a critical role in the carboxylation of the vitamin K1-dependant bone proteins such as osteocalcin, which is believed to improve bone toughness.
“A previous ECU trial indicates dietary vitamin K1 intakes of less than 100 micrograms per day may be too low for this carboxylation.
“Vitamin K1 may also promote bone health by inhibiting various bone resorbing agents.”
So, what should we eat — and how much?
Dr. Sim said eating more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 daily was ideal — and, happily, it isn’t too difficult to do.
“Consuming this much daily vitamin K1 can easily be achieved by consuming between 75-150g, equivalent to one to two serves, of vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and cabbage,” he said.
“It’s another reason to follow public health guidelines, which advocate higher vegetable intake including one to two serves of green leafy vegetables — which is in line with our study’s recommendations.”
Reference: “Dietary Vitamin K1 intake is associated with lower long-term fracture-related hospitalization risk: the Perth longitudinal study of ageing women” by Marc Sim, Andre Strydom, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Nicola P. Bondonno, Rachel McCormick, Wai H. Lim, Kun Zhu, Elizabeth Byrnes, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Joshua R. Lewisabch and Richard L. Prince, 12 September 2022, Food & Function.
DOI: 10.1039/D2FO02494B
Should You Take Vitamin D Supplements?
Half of all postmenopausal women will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Hip fractures are common in the elderly and have serious consequences. More than 300,000 people are hospitalized every year in the US for hip fractures. When untreated, the one-year mortality is 70%; with surgery, the one-year mortality is 21%. Patients may never return to their pre-fracture level of activity and may not even regain the ability to walk. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening women age 50-64 and younger women at high risk, but their strategy has been tested and found to be little better than chance.
Vitamin D supplements are among the most popular supplements on the market.
A typical pro-vitamin D website, LifeExtension.com, tells us:
Most people can benefit from taking vitamin D. Since it’s unlikely that you’re getting enough vitamin D from the sun and from diet, vitamin D supplements are going to be a good idea for many individuals… Approximately 42% of Americans have vitamin D deficiency.
They acknowledge that experts disagree on what constitutes a normal vitamin D level. Commonly accepted categories are:
- Deficiency: < 20 ng/mL
- Insufficiency: 20-30 ng/mL
- Sufficiency: > 30 ng/mL
- But they warn that “normal” may not be optimal. Some authorities define optimal levels as 40-60 ng/ mL. They go a step further and recommend aiming for 50-80 ng/mL. They suggest having your vitamin D level tested repeatedly along with your routine blood tests for total blood count and lipid profile.
The USPSTF used to recommend vitamin D and calcium supplements to prevent falls in community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older who are at increased risk for falls.
Having read information like this, I was worried because I am seldom exposed to the sun and I don’t drink milk. For many years I took a calcium and vitamin D pill prescribed by my doctor. At one point I asked my doctor if I could stop taking it and she said it was probably best to continue.
I thought it was protecting me from hip fractures, but recent research says otherwise. There is a lot of research suggesting associations of low vitamin D levels with mortality, ADHD, depression, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, diabetes, and some infectious diseases; but the evidence is mixed, often flawed, and low quality. Increasing low vitamin D levels with supplements may not be effective for reversing these conditions. The evidence is summarized in the Wikipedia article on vitamin D.
The VITAL trial was a large placebo-controlled study designed to address the cardiovascular and cancer benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D for healthy adults. It found that vitamin D supplements don’t protect against developing cancer or cardiovascular disease, falls, cognitive decline, migraines, stroke, macular degeneration, or joint pain—nor do they reduce body weight or BMI. In an ancillary study published in the New England Journal of Medicine the authors found no difference in the incidence of fractures between those taking vitamin D and those taking placebo. An accompanying editorial by two MDs, Steven Cummings and Clifford Rosen, was titled “A Decisive Verdict on Vitamin D Supplementation.”
They found
no substantial between-group differences in fracture incidence among participants who were at high fracture risk (i.e., those taking osteoporosis medications [1240 participants] or with a history of fragility fractures [2578 participants].
And when the blood levels of vitamin D were stratified, even those with levels below 20 ng/mL did not benefit from supplements. There was also no benefit for levels below 12 ng/mL, but the number of people in this group was small, so doubt remains.
Complications: there were no substantial differences in the incidence of hypercalcemia and kidney stones between the vitamin D and placebo groups.
In the light of the VITAL study and other recent research, the editorialists concluded that
Providers should stop screening for 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels or recommending vitamin D supplements, and people should stop taking vitamin D supplements to prevent major diseases or extend life.
They said the terms “deficiency” and “insufficiency” should be reconsidered. And of course, the “sufficient” level of vitamin D has yet to be determined.
They did point out that some uncertainties remained. Blood tests might be useful for some patients who might have severe deficiency, such as people living in residential settings with no sun exposure, patients with malabsorption, or those receiving treatments for osteoporosis that might cause hypocalcemia and may benefit from vitamin D.
I decided to stop taking the calcium/vitamin D pills, and this new information confirms that it was a good decision.
Folic Acid, Omega 3, Vitamin a
- A review of nearly 900 clinical trials found evidence supporting taking folic acid and fish oil for heart health.
- Vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E had no effect on heart disease.
- But tell your doctor about any supplements you’re on, per new guidance from the American Heart Association.
A new review of nearly 900 clinical trials identified supplements can support heart health — and the ones that either don’t help or could cause harm.
The review, which looked at trials for 27 types of micronutrients, is the first to categorize micronutrient supplements by their effect on heart health based on current trial data. It was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) on December 5.
The review identified three supplements that have the best quality evidence supporting their positive effect on heart health: omega-3 fatty acids, or fish oil, decreased death from heart disease; folic acid decreased stroke risk; and the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 decreased mortality.
One supplement had harmful health effects. Beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A in our bodies, supplement use increased the risk of death from heart disease. The findings are in line with the US Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) guidance not to take vitamin A supplements without consulting a doctor due to the risk of toxicity, which can lead to muscle and bone pain, nausea, and hair loss.
Vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and selenium had no effect on heart disease or diabetes risk.
Simin Liu, an epidemiologist at Brown University and an author on the study, said in a press release the findings can be used to inform future clinical trials studying how micronutrients effect heart health. The study indicates supplementation could help with heart health, but more research is needed on how they work.
“Identifying the optimal mixture of micronutrients is important, as not all are beneficial, and some may even have harmful effects,” Liu said in the release.
Research on supplements and heart health has shown mixed efficacy
Though some doctors prescribe fish oil and other supplements to help heart health, studies on these supplements have shown mixed results.
For instance, a recent study found fish oil supplements won’t lower a person’s levels of “bad” cholesterol that’s associated with heart disease and stroke, but another large report found the supplement significantly reduced a person’s risk of heart attack.
Previous research has found folic acid may lower stroke risk. The National Institutes of Health recommends people who are pregnant or want to become pregnant take folic acid, as the supplement has been shown to decrease birth defects.
If you decide to take supplements, tell your heart doctor. The American Heart Association recently issued a scientific statement urging doctors and patients to talk about supplements with each other as cardiologists say they are noticing a rise in heart problems associated with herbal remedies.
“Although many [complementary and alternative medicines] are purported to be efficacious and safe by the public, clinical evidence supporting the use of [complementary and alternative medicines] in heart failure remains limited and controversial,” the AHA stated.