WEDNESDAY, Dec. 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Manufacturers make all kinds of health claims, but can taking supplements reduce your risk of heart disease?
A comprehensive analysis of previous studies suggests that in some cases the answer is yes. Certain types of supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), support the cardiovascular system.
However, many supplements have been found to not benefit heart health and others may be harmful.
"We evaluated 27 types of dietary supplements and found that some are beneficial to the cardiovascular system," said study author Dr. Simin Liu, director of the Cardiometabolic Global Health Center at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
These include omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of premature death from heart disease.
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Other heart-healthy supplements include folate, L-arginine, L-citrulline, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, alpha-lipoic acid, melatonin, catechins, curcumin, flavanols, genistein, and quercetin.
But some common supplements have no long-term effects on heart disease outcomes or type 2 diabetes risk, Liu notes. They contain vitamins C, D, E and selenium.
On the other hand, beta-carotene supplements are associated with an increase in premature death from all causes.
The findings are the result of research by Liu and colleagues, who call for ongoing confusion in the heart health community about how effective dietary supplements are in preventing heart disease.
That micronutrient-rich foods can protect the heart isn't disputed, Liu said, noting that several large studies have linked a healthy diet to heart health benefits.
For example, antioxidants found in heart-healthy foods such as micronutrients found in the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) are associated with reduced oxidative stress. Because stress-induced tissue damage is a risk to heart health, a diet rich in antioxidants is thought to be protective, reducing the risk of a number of serious diseases, including diabetes.
However, it's unclear whether taking vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants as dietary supplements could provide similar benefits.
For the new study, Liu's team looked at 884 previous studies on dietary supplements, some of which were published this year. In total, nearly 900,000 men and women participated in the research.
Ultimately, the team concluded that some of the 27 micronutrient supplements studied provided some benefit.
These include a variety of omega-3 fatty acid supplements, including n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce the risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease, as well as the overall risk of death. . from heart disease.
Similarly, folic acid supplementation is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, and CoQ10 is associated with a reduced risk of premature death from any cause.
On the other hand, beta-carotene supplementation has been associated with an increased risk of premature death from any cause, as well as an increased risk of death particularly from heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Greg Fonaru is director of the Ahmanson Cardiomyopathy Center at UCLA and co-director of the Preventive Cardiology Program at UCLA.
After reviewing the results, Fonaroff advised caution, noting that real benefit from a small amount of the nutrient is a "rare exception."
"Beta-carotene supplements have been found to increase the risk, whereas most other supplements have shown no benefit in randomized clinical trials," she pointed out.
"Some exceptions," Fonarov added, "have not shown consistent benefits" in reducing risk.
His advice. Lead a heart-healthy lifestyle and eat well by eating a variety of foods in moderation.
Some nutritionists agree.
"What we don't know for sure is whether supplements alone can prevent disease risk or whether it's a matter of nutritional balance." - warns food and nutrition consultant Connie Dickman from St. Petersburg. Louis and former president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The latter probably says: "No food is a cure for disease."
Dickman cautions that while omega-3s are good for heart health, when used as part of an unhealthy diet, they "can't work miracles."
"The same can be said of other nutrients," she says.
However, she cautions that you shouldn't start taking supplements without the advice of a doctor or dietician, because "it can disturb nutritional balance."
Lona Sandon, director of the clinical nutrition program at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, also issued a cautionary note.
"Supplements are regulated, but not as much as prescription drugs," she says. "Consumers still need to be vigilant because supplements don't need to be tested for safety before being marketed and sold."
As a result, says Sandon, "unfortunately we cannot accept every request".
Even with a combination of supplements, "diet still matters," she stressed. It offers some advice for those looking for a truly heart-healthy diet. "Add a few servings of tuna and walnuts each week, along with leafy greens and 100 percent orange juice for some omega-3s and folate."
The new study was published in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Learn more about nutritional supplements and heart health at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
SOURCES: Ximin Liu, MD, MS, MPH, ScD, professor, epidemiology, medicine, and surgery and director, Center for Global Cardiometabolic Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Greg Fonarov, MD, director of the UCLA Ahmanson Cardiomyopathy Center and chair of the UCLA Department of Cardiology; Connie Diekman, MD, food and nutrition consultant, St. Louis, former president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Lona Sandon, PhD, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, program director and associate professor, Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Public Health; Journal of the American College of Cardiology, December 2022