Chicago- New research claims that the vitamins and supplements that countless people take to improve their health are a waste of money. Researchers at Northwestern University state that their health benefits are primarily in the mind, and that some people can do more harm than good.
According to the CDC, in 2018, nearly 6 out of 10 Americans took dietary supplements on a regular basis. Last year, Americans spent nearly $ 50 billion on vitamins and supplements. But the research team says there is no “magic pill set to keep you healthy.” Instead, diet and exercise are still the keys to good health.
“Patients always ask,’What supplements should I take?'” Said Dr. Jeffrey Linder, lead author at Northwestern University, in a media release.
“They are wasting money and believe that when we all have to follow evidence-based practices of healthy eating and exercise, we must have a set of magical pills to keep them healthy.”
Certain supplements can cause cancer, but they cannot prevent it
Multivitamin tablets are especially popular because they contain as many as a dozen important nutrient mixtures. According to the Health Food Manufacturers Association, more than one-third feel that they can’t get everything they need from their diet.
However, a systematic review of 84 studies found “insufficient evidence” that taking multivitamins, pairs, or single supplements prevented cardiovascular disease and cancer. The review was conducted by a team of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts who make evidence-based recommendations.
Read: Five studies suggesting that multivitamins do not improve your health
“The Task Force isn’t saying,’Don’t take multivitamins,’ but there’s an idea that if these were really good for you, we’d know by now,” Linder said. Explains.
They specifically advise not to take beta-carotene supplements as they may increase the risk of lung cancer.
“The harm is talking to the patient about the supplement during the very limited time we can see it. We miss counseling on how to really reduce cardiovascular risk, such as exercising or quitting smoking.” The author of the study continues.
There is a special combination of your fruits and vegetables
write in JAMADr. Linder and colleagues say that more than half of American adults take vitamins and supplements, and their popularity is projected to increase significantly over the next decade. According to the team, eating fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Read: Taking these supplements can reduce your risk of developing autoimmune diseases
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the major vitamins and minerals can be extracted and packaged in tablets. This saves 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.
Isolated micronutrients can work differently in the body than when naturally packaged with many other dietary ingredients. Dr. Linder states that people with vitamin deficiency can benefit from taking dietary supplements such as calcium and vitamin D. Previous studies have shown that it can prevent fractures and falls in the elderly.
The revised guidelines do not apply to women who are pregnant or planning to start a family.
“Pregnant people should keep in mind that these guidelines do not apply to them,” says co-author Natalie Cameron, a general internal medicine instructor at Northwestern University.
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“Certain vitamins such as folic acid are essential for pregnant women to support the development of a healthy fetus. The most common way to meet these needs is to take prenatal vitamins. More data is needed to understand how certain vitamin supplements correct the adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk of cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. “
Overcome the cost of a healthy diet
Recent studies have shown that most women in the United States have poor pre-pregnancy heart health. Dr. Cameron says that discussing vitamin supplementation and optimizing cardiovascular health before pregnancy is an important element of prenatal care. However, if a US food manufacturer focuses on processed products stuffed with fat, sugar, and salt, a healthy diet can be difficult.
“Eating a healthy diet and exercising more is not as easy as it sounds, especially among low-income Americans,” said co-author Dr. Jenny Jia.
“Health foods are expensive and people don’t always have the means to find an environment to exercise. They may not be safe outdoors or can’t afford a facility. So make it easier and What can we do to help make healthier decisions? “
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Dr. Jia has worked with charitable food pantry and banks that offer free groceries to encourage people to choose healthier options and donors to offer healthier options and money. ..
Mark Waghorn, writer of South West News Service, contributed to this report.
