New research shows vitamins may not play a role in preventing death from cardiovascular disease. Past research has led investigators to believe vitamin intake could prevent cardiovascular disease, but results of these trials have not been conclusive. Researchers from University Hospital in Switzerland and University of Miami School of Medicine in Florida conducted a study to determine if vitamin E, vitamin C or a multivitamin could decrease the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
More than 83,500 male physicians took part in the study. The men were asked questions about what vitamins they used. Five years later, researchers recorded which of the men had died from cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The study found 30 percent of the men took vitamins. After five years, there were 1,000 deaths including 500 deaths from coronary heart disease. After adjusting for other factors, researchers found supplement use was not associated with a decrease in the risk of death from heart disease.However, researchers feel there could be potential small benefits from vitamin supplements on future cardiovascular risk. Research said from ongoing large clinical trials will be necessary to determine if these benefits exist.
