Most vitamin supplements ‘hardly have any benefit’

Have you been downing vitamin pills hoping to give your body the best? Sorry, a team of researchers from St Micheal’s Hospital and the University of Toronto say those pills have no apparent health benefit.

Results of the study showed that common supplements did nothing to prevent cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke or premature death.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, lasted five years from 2012 to 2017.

“We were surprised to find so few positive effects of the most common supplements that people consume,” said David Jenkins, the study’s lead author.

“Our review found that if you want to use multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium or vitamin C, it does no harm — but there is no apparent advantage either.”

Vitamin and mineral supplements are generally taken to improve the availability of nutrients to the body.

These nutrients are found in small quantities in food.

According to the study, folic acid and B-vitamins have a relatively small effect on reducing cardiovascular disease and stroke.

“These findings suggest that people should be conscious of the supplements they’re taking and ensure they’re applicable to the specific vitamin or mineral deficiencies they have been advised of by their healthcare provider,” Jenkins said.

“In the absence of significant positive data — apart from folic acid’s potential reduction in the risk of stroke and heart disease — it’s most beneficial to rely on a healthy diet to get your fill of vitamins and minerals.

“So far, no research on supplements has shown us anything better than healthy servings of less processed plant foods including vegetables, fruits, and nuts.”