Vitamin supplements bring no health benefits - except for this important exception

Which supplements protect your health?

Many people take so-called supplements in order to avoid possible deficiencies and to improve their health. However, researchers have now found that many of the vitamin and mineral supplements do not really promote good health. However, there is at least one exception to dietary supplements that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.

If you are one of the people who often take supplements and swear by their positive effects, the new findings may surprise you. Researchers at the University of Toronto found in their recent research that dietary supplements usually have no positive health effects. The physicians published the results of their study in the English journal "Journal of the American College of Cardiology".

Many supplements do not seem to have a positive effect on your health. This surprising result comes from a recent study by experts from the UK. (Image: pat_hastings / fotolia.com)

Dietary supplements are widely used

Generally, dietary supplements are taken to avoid any deficiency symptoms. Over the past few years, however, dietary supplements have been used more frequently to improve longevity or simply improve overall health. A survey also analyzed in the current study found that about one in two people are currently taking any dietary supplements.

Folic acid protects against heart disease and strokes

Dietary supplements often do not have the desired effect; there are even some of these remedies that can increase the risk of premature death, say the experts. However, there is one exception: dietary supplements with folic acid actually reduce the risk of heart disease or strokes.

Which dietary supplements have been studied?

For the current study, the scientists analyzed the results of various studies over a five-year period. These have dealt with the most commonly used supplements, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6, B9 (folic acid), C, D and E, explain the physicians.

Many supplements do not protect against cardiovascular disease

When it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke or premature death, multivitamins, vitamin C and D, and calcium do not show any beneficial effects. However, no increased risk could be determined by taking the report.

No benefits from taking many supplements

It was surprising that only a few positive effects could be detected by taking the most commonly used dietary supplements, explains the study author. David Jenkins of the University of Toronto. The review of the different study results showed that the intake of multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium or vitamin C does not harm the person concerned, however, there are no obvious benefits from the intake, the expert adds.

Take note of a healthy diet

In the absence of significant positive data, it is most beneficial to rely on a healthy diet to eat vitamins and minerals, say the doctors. One exception, however, is the intake of folic acid, which reduces the risk of strokes or heart disease.

Taking supplements can even be harmful

People with specific deficiencies in their diet should take supplements only after a professional consultation, experts suggest. Most people get the vitamins and minerals they need just by looking for a healthy and balanced diet. Ingesting dietary supplements in excessively high doses may even be detrimental to human health, the researchers warn. (As)