Multivitamin Supplementation Fails Atherosclerosis Review

BALTIMORE—Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded supplementation with vitamins and minerals does not impact progression of atherosclerosis. The results of this systematic review were published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (84, 4:880-87, 2006).

The scientists conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effect of vitamin and mineral supplementation and atherosclerosis progression, using Medline, Embase and Central study databases. They separately analyzed trials using antioxidants (vitamins E and C, beta-carotene or selenium) and trials using B vitamins (folate, vitamin B-6 or vitamin B-12). The progression of atherosclerosis was evaluated by B-mode ultrasound, intravascular ultrasound or angiography; effect sizes were calculated for the difference in slope of atherosclerosis progression between participants assigned to supplements and those assigned to the control group. The researchers found no evidence of a protective effect of antioxidant or B vitamin supplements on the progression of atherosclerosis.