Vitamin and Mineral Supplements May Not Shield You from Heart Diseases and Cancer

A recent research finds that there is lack of evidence pointing toward vitamin and mineral supplements guarding people from heart diseases and cancer.

The study was carried out by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).  Vitamin and mineral supplements are a crucial part of the diet of U.S. adults, which are consumed for maintaining good health and keeping ailments at bay. The Task Force wanted to bring the exact functions of these supplements to light.

"In general, the Task Force found that there is not enough evidence to determine whether you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer by taking single or paired nutrients, or a multivitamin," Michael LeFevre, M.D., M.S.P.H. and Task Force co-chair, said in a statement. "However, there were two major exceptions: beta-carotene and vitamin E, both of which clearly do not help prevent these diseases."

The Task Force has not come out with any recommendation because of the lack of evidence regarding the roles of the supplements. The Task Force advised people to stop the intake of vitamin E and beta-carotene, a supplement found in carrots, in order to reduce the risk of  heart diseases and cancers. The beta-carotene supplement was found to enhance the risk of lung cancer in smokers. A D-recommendation was issued for both these nutrients by the USPSTF.

"At this point in time the science is not sufficient for us to estimate how much benefit or harm there is from taking vitamin or multivitamin supplements to prevent cancer or heart disease," Dr. Michael LeFevre said in a Health Reuters report.

Dr. LeFevre also advised medics to counsel their patients regarding the supplements they consume and educate them about the impact of these supplements on their health.

The CDC claims that about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. annually. Around 580,000 people are estimated to die of cancer by the American Cancer Society.