But the results are the same as in 2014: If you are not healthy and pregnant, there is “insufficient evidence” that there is no benefit in prolonging the intake of vitamin E, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin . Vitamin B3, B6, vitamin C and selenium.
However, there is enough evidence to suggest against the The use of beta-carotene supplements converted into vitamin A in the body to prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer “due to increased risk of death, cardiovascular mortality and lung cancer,” the working group said.
People should also not take vitamin E because “it has no net benefit in reducing mortality, cardiovascular disease or cancer,” the working group said.
Another evidence-based intervention: the DASH diet, which refers to “dietary techniques to stop hypertension”. Diet has been shown to successfully lower high blood pressure, studies have shown. The Mediterranean and DASH diets avoid processed foods and focus on fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
“Instead of focusing money, time, and attention on supplements, it would be better to focus on less risky, more beneficial activities … eating right, exercising, maintaining weight, and avoiding smoking,” Linder and colleagues wrote.
Billions of dollars
Linder and his colleagues say that despite consistent statements from the scientific community, “more than half of American adults will take dietary supplements” and spend about $ 50 billion by 2021.
Why would we spend so much money on pills?
Then, once people When we consider “good and healthy,” there is another vitamin behavior called “dose sensitivity”: If it’s a little better, it should be more good, ”Ubel said. Professor of Business, Public Policy and Medicine at Fukua School of Business, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Add to that a person’s view of everything that is “natural” or “botanical,” and it’s more likely to buy vitamins and minerals that are sold that way, he said.
“Advertising agencies acknowledge this one-sidedness,” Ubel added. “Now people can eat daily food supplements and make up for the lack of fruits in their diet.”
CNN contacted the Responsible Nutrition Council, a trade organization for the supplementary industry, and received the following response:
“Apparently limited evidence should not be misinterpreted as lack of evidence,” said Andrea Wong, the council’s senior vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs. “Numerous studies support the fact that most Americans use multivitamins for a number of benefits.”
Some populations need supplements
Experts say that people who have limited access to healthy foods or have a certain medical condition or are over 65 should pay attention to adding certain micronutrients to their diet.
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