Do Dietary Supplements Really Improve Well-Being?
With the appeal of being quick, supposedly harmless, and potentially lifespan-extending, dietary supplements have been widely integrated into the American lifestyle in recent years. From the rise of gummy vitamins for children to the many promotions for the latest energy bars, it is no surprise that as of 2019, the consumption of these supplements has reached an all-time high: 77% of Americans are taking dietary supplements. While the market for these products has certainly boomed, researchers are still not convinced that they are as effective as they are marketed to be.
In a 2019 study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of dietary supplements and interventions in preventing both all-cause mortality (death from any cause) and cardiovascular disease outcomes. These outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary heart disease. The 16 nutritional supplements that were studied included omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA), multivitamins, calcium, and folic acid. By analyzing data from 277 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in a technique called meta-analysis, researchers found that a majority of the 16 observed supplements had no association with reduced risk for all-cause mortality or cardiovascular disease.
Although a few supplements were found to support reduced risks, these conclusions were based on suboptimal evidence. For instance, omega-3 LC-PUFA was generally associated with decreased risk for myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease, but several of the clinical trials meta-analyzed had conflicting results about this conclusion. While the results of A Study of Cardiovascular Events iN Diabetes (ASCEND) did not indicate benefits of the fatty acid in overall cardiovascular health, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) discovered a reduction of myocardial infarction when taking one gram per day. Similarly, folic acid was associated with decreased risk for stroke, but this conclusion was primarily due to the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial, which tested the effects of folic acid supplements on stroke risk in hypertensive adults in China. The researchers have suggested that these results may be skewed due to participants being from regions lacking folate-fortified foods, making the data less likely to be representative of other populations.
In a 2019 study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of dietary supplements and interventions in preventing both all-cause mortality (death from any cause) and cardiovascular disease outcomes. These outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary heart disease. The 16 nutritional supplements that were studied included omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA), multivitamins, calcium, and folic acid. By analyzing data from 277 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in a technique called meta-analysis, researchers found that a majority of the 16 observed supplements had no association with reduced risk for all-cause mortality or cardiovascular disease.
Although a few supplements were found to support reduced risks, these conclusions were based on suboptimal evidence. For instance, omega-3 LC-PUFA was generally associated with decreased risk for myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease, but several of the clinical trials meta-analyzed had conflicting results about this conclusion. While the results of A Study of Cardiovascular Events iN Diabetes (ASCEND) did not indicate benefits of the fatty acid in overall cardiovascular health, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL) discovered a reduction of myocardial infarction when taking one gram per day. Similarly, folic acid was associated with decreased risk for stroke, but this conclusion was primarily due to the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial, which tested the effects of folic acid supplements on stroke risk in hypertensive adults in China. The researchers have suggested that these results may be skewed due to participants being from regions lacking folate-fortified foods, making the data less likely to be representative of other populations.
Research has shown that most dietary supplements have no association with reduced risk of mortality or cardiovascular disease.
Image Source: Daily Nouri
However, one unexpected result, supported by moderate evidence, was that combined consumption of calcium and vitamin D increased the risk of stroke. Calcium and vitamin D supplements advertise a variety of health benefits from increased bone health to support of the cardiovascular system. Thus, the researchers were surprised to find this adverse effect. They have proposed that the supplements could lead to increased vascular calcification, causing atherosclerosis and leading to stroke.
Due to the lack of concrete evidence on the benefits of these supplements, it is advisable to consult health professionals before deciding to use them. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Health and Human Services have faced criticism from health professionals for the lack of scientific background supporting their dietary recommendations. Such recommendations could result in excessive use of supplements and fuel the growing dietary supplement market, which is predicted to be worth $349 billion by 2026. Excessive supplement intake can lead to health issues, including kidney stones caused by calcium supplement overconsumption and iron poisoning caused by major iron supplement overconsumption.
While the health benefits of some dietary supplements are still unclear, these types of products can still promote health and wellness. An individual’s use of dietary supplements should vary based on his or her circumstances. For instance, many physicians highly recommend iron supplements for pregnant women to produce more blood to support the developing fetus. Regardless, health professionals generally urge the public to be wary and rely on food rather than supplements for proper nutrition.
Due to the lack of concrete evidence on the benefits of these supplements, it is advisable to consult health professionals before deciding to use them. In fact, the US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Health and Human Services have faced criticism from health professionals for the lack of scientific background supporting their dietary recommendations. Such recommendations could result in excessive use of supplements and fuel the growing dietary supplement market, which is predicted to be worth $349 billion by 2026. Excessive supplement intake can lead to health issues, including kidney stones caused by calcium supplement overconsumption and iron poisoning caused by major iron supplement overconsumption.
While the health benefits of some dietary supplements are still unclear, these types of products can still promote health and wellness. An individual’s use of dietary supplements should vary based on his or her circumstances. For instance, many physicians highly recommend iron supplements for pregnant women to produce more blood to support the developing fetus. Regardless, health professionals generally urge the public to be wary and rely on food rather than supplements for proper nutrition.
Image Source: Bru-nO
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