Vitamins, supplements are a ‘waste of money’ for most Americans

Attracted by the appeal of multivitamins and dietary supplements, filling the nutritional gap in the diet, the US people in 2021 spent nearly $ 50 billion on vitamins and dietary supplements.

But Northwestern medical scientists say vitamins are a waste of money for non-pregnant, otherwise healthy Americans, as there is not enough evidence to help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer. increase.

“Patients always ask,” What supplement should I take? ” They are wasting money and believe they need a set of magical medicines to stay healthy when they should follow evidence-based practices of healthy eating and exercise, “said Jeffrey, Ph.D., Internal Medicine. Dr. Linder said. Medicine at Northwestern University School of Medicine, Fineberg School of Medicine.

Linder and fellow Northwestern Medicine scientists wrote an editorial published on June 21st. JAMA It supports new recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This is an independent committee of national experts who frequently make evidence-based recommendations for clinical preventive services.

Based on a systematic review of 84 studies, the new USPSTF guidelines say that taking multivitamins, pair supplements, or single supplements can help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer in healthy, non-pregnant adults. There is “insufficient evidence”.

“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. Said.

The Task Force specifically recommends taking beta-carotene supplements as it may increase the risk of lung cancer. We also recommend that you do not take vitamin E supplements as they do not reduce mortality, cardiovascular disease, or 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.” Said Linder.

More than half of Americans take vitamins. why?

More than half of adults in the United States consume dietary supplements and are expected to increase their use of supplements, Linder and his colleagues write: JAMA editorial.

Eating fruits and vegetables is associated with reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, so major vitamins and minerals can be extracted from fruits and vegetables and packed into pills, with the hassle of maintaining people. It is reasonable to think that you can save money. A balanced diet. However, they explain that whole fruits and vegetables probably contain a mixture of vitamins, phytochemicals, fiber, and other nutrients that work synergistically to provide health benefits. Isolated micronutrients can work differently in the body than when naturally packaged with many other dietary ingredients.

Linder said people with vitamin deficiency can benefit from taking dietary supplements such as calcium and vitamin D, which have been shown to prevent fractures and possibly fall into the elderly. rice field.

New guidelines do not apply to pregnant people

The new USPSTF guidelines do not apply to those who are pregnant or are about to become pregnant. JAMA Editor-in-Chief Dr. Natalie Cameron, Instructor of General Internal Medicine in Fineberg.

“Pregnant people should keep in mind that these guidelines do not apply to them,” said Cameron, a doctor at Northwestern Medicine. “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 vitamin supplementation changes the harmful risks of pregnancy results and cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. ”

In addition, a recent study from Northwestern University found that most women in the United States had poor pre-pregnancy heart health. In addition to discussing vitamin supplementation, Cameron said working with patients to optimize cardiovascular health before pregnancy is an important element of antenatal care.

Healthy eating and exercising are “not as easy as it sounds”

Co-author Dr. Jenny Jia JAMA Editors studying the prevention of chronic diseases in low-income households through lifestyle interventions say that a healthy diet can be a challenge if the US industrialized food system does not prioritize health. I did.

“Eating a healthy diet and exercising more is not as easy as it sounds, especially among low-income Americans,” said Feinberg’s general internal medicine instructor, Northwest. Zia, a medical doctor, said. “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 support healthier support? Decision? “

Over the past few years, Jia needs to work with charitable food pantry and banks to help clients choose healthier options from food pantry and educate donors to offer healthier options. Offers free groceries to some people. money.