The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued recommendations against the use of two dietary supplements to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. They are beta-carotene and vitamin E. Specifically, beta-carotene is even at risk of causing cancer. This guide caused a fuss. Is Buying Dietary Supplements Wasteful and Harmful?
There is no benefit to taking beta-carotene or vitamin E supplements
Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in many countries, and inflammation and oxidative stress in the body have been shown to cause these diseases. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects recognized by taking dietary supplements are one of the reasons people buy them.
However, in the latest guidelines published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the USPSTF states:
- Vitamin E supplementation is not effective in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer. Its oversupply increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
- Beta-carotene supplementation can be more harmful than good. Beta carotene supplements increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, especially for smokers and workers exposed to asbestos.
The combination of beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements also increases the risk of lung cancer.
Beta-Carotene-Food Fights Cancer, Beta-Carotene Supplements Oppose
Many studies have shown that beta-carotene has powerful antioxidant properties, and that fruit and vegetable intake helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and death from all causes. In particular, foods containing carotenoids may have protective effects against lung, oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers.
However, smokers taking beta-carotene supplements to prevent lung cancer may experience the opposite effect.
Studies show that high doses of beta-carotene supplements increase the risk of lung cancer and are the highest risk of cancer among smokers. As early as 1994, a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that male smokers taking beta-carotene had an 8% higher total mortality rate than nonsmokers, with lung cancer being the main cause of death. And ischemic heart disease.
So how many supplements are considered “high doses”? In a 2010 meta-analysis, people supplemented with 20-30 mg of beta-carotene daily had a 16% significant increase in lung and stomach cancer, the highest risk among smokers and workers exposed to asbestos. Was shown.
In addition, smokers taking beta-carotene supplements are at increased risk of lung cancer, regardless of the tar and nicotine content of the cigarette. If smokers regularly consume alcohol, the combination of beta-carotene and ethanol can cause hepatotoxicity.
Why do beta-carotene and beta-carotene supplements from food have almost completely opposite results in the body? The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center suggests that dietary beta-carotene can interact with other phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables to have a better effect on the body than supplements. ..
Other studies have shown that high-dose beta-carotene supplements can change from “antioxidants” to “pro-oxidants,” causing oxidative damage to DNA and making cells more susceptible to cancer in smokers. It suggests that there is sex.
A 2020 review published in Antioxidants points out that the interactions of human carotenoids, including beta-carotene, are complex and can be antioxidants or pro-oxidants. In the latter case, carotenoids can even damage cells.
Vitamin A supplements aren’t as dangerous as beta-carotene, but dietary supplements are also recommended.
Two studies conducted in 2019 found that taking vitamin A instead of supplements reduced mortality from all causes and cardiovascular disease, resulting in a carotenoid-rich diet that is converted to vitamin A in the body. Was found to be beneficial for the health of cardiovascular metabolism.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient that can be excessively accumulated in the body when one supplement is taken. According to the USPSTF, too much vitamin A can reduce bone mineral density and cause hepatotoxic or teratogenic effects.
Are supplements a harmful waste of money?
The new guidelines from the USPSTF also state that there is insufficient evidence to prove that supplementation of single or multiple nutrients can prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer.
The guidelines are for single or combined vitamin supplements such as beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and selenium for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Evaluated benefits and for cancer and reduced mortality. And it came to the above conclusion.
In an editorial accompanying the guidelines, Jeffrey A. Linder, MD, MD, Chief of General Internal Medicine, Northwestern University’s Fineberg School of Medicine, along with his colleagues, instead of spending money and paying attention to supplements, is low-risk. , High-Influential activities need to be emphasized. Examples include eating a healthy diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding the use of tobacco.
It wonders if buying dietary supplements for people is really a waste of money and harmful to their bodies. After all, not everyone can enjoy a balanced diet on a regular basis.
In this regard, Titan Lin, nutritionist and CEO of Learning Co. Ltd, said the intake of a single dietary supplement often involves high doses. However, supplementing with a vitamin combination is much safer.
On the other hand, a balanced diet can certainly reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular, and eating natural foods can supplement multiple nutrients at the same time.
However, some nutrients are more difficult to obtain in effective amounts from foods such as fish oil and can be supplemented with supplements.
There are also many factors that require people to get essential nutrients from supplements.
The USPSTF recommends that pregnant women be supplemented with 0.4-0.8 mg (400-800 mcg) of folic acid daily to prevent birth defects in infants.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect memory, but vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal foods. And long-term vegetarians are prone to vitamin B12 deficiency and need to take supplements.
In addition, supplementation with astaxanthin, sesamin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and other non-essential nutrients still offers some benefits.
Supplements can also be selected if they are relatively difficult to obtain from food. For example, people who are stressed and have poor sleep quality can supplement with sesamin and GABA. And if you work too hard and your eyes hurt, you can supplement astaxanthin.
Phosphorus has the advantage of vitamins and other nutrient supplements that it can quickly supplement the required effective amount, or that people can get the nutrients they need from the supplement when it is really difficult to improve their diet. I pointed out.
However, he emphasized, “I don’t think it’s necessary to have a balanced diet with supplements.”
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