In a
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to be published tomorrow in JAMA, the authors
concluded that taking a multivitamin supplement daily for over a decade did not reduce the risk of heart disease in older men. The authors arrived at their conclusions by analyzing data from 14,641 male physicians, average age 64yo, of whom 754 had a history of heart disease. These men were simply randomized to either a multivitamin (Centrum Silver) or a placebo to be taken daily and followed for up to 11+yrs. Regardless of baseline heart disease status, taking a multivitamin did not affect heart disease event risk, much less stroke and death.
But the manufacturers would have you question whether the multivitamin was really given a chance to prove its effectiveness in a group of otherwise healthy men, over half of whom had never smoked and close to 40% had quit. Furthermore, close to two-thirds exercised at least once weekly (although this clearly isn't enough to meet current recommendations for physical activity). And most ate at least 4 servings/day of fruits & vegetables plus 1 serving/day of whole grains.
4 out of 5 drank at least 1 alcohol drink a month while 3 out of 4 took a daily aspirin. Amazingly enough, close to 3 out of 5 did not have high blood pressure, almost 2 out of 3 did not have high cholesterol, and over 90% did not have diabetes. Clearly, these physician participants do not reflect the population at large. Which doesn't answer the question, what should you do? Well, if you practice a healthy lifestyle (and you know what that is!), it appears you don't have much to gain by taking a daily multivitamin in terms of preventing heart disease. But what about cancer? We'll discuss this tomorrow . . .
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