Study: Antioxidants May Not Help Heart
June 12 -- — Millions of Americans taking popular antioxidants in the hope of preventing heart disease may be putting themselves at risk.
A new analysis published in The Lancet medical journal today found vitamin E and beta-carotene are ineffective in protecting against heart disease and other causes of death.
The research, carried out at the Cleveland Clinic, also found that such supplements could be harmful to certain people, supporting previous criticism in the medical community of the widespread use of antioxidant pills.
"I have been surprised how difficult it has been for patients to give [antioxidant vitamins] up," says Dr. Lori Mosca, director of the preventive cardiology unit of New York Presbyterian Hospital. "This study adds to the growing body of data that [not only is there no] benefit but potential harm with antioxidant vitamins."
Early Warning Signs
Dr. B. Greg Brown, professor of cardiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, pointed to trials several years ago that he said should have served as an early warning sign.
"About 1995, large randomized trials appeared which showed no benefit [to taking these vitamins] and, in fact, small adverse trends. But by that time, the hypothetical benefit was now 'fact' in the minds of the physicians and their patients, who continued vitamin use despite the real facts. … There are many patients that continue, with blind faith, to take antioxidant vitamins to prevent heart disease or cancer," Brown said.
The Cleveland Clinic team's analysis of 12 previous clinical trials investigating the effects of vitamin E and beta-carotene did not find that these supplements increased cardiovascular or overall health. It found that beta-carotene supplements slightly increased the odds of death, mainly among smokers who were at risk of lung cancer.
Earlier studies had shown a significant benefit to taking antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, fueling the natural supplement craze that continues to sweep the nation.
