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Added: 11/4/2009
Long-term regular consumption of a multivitamin may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 16%, according to a new study from the U.S.
Intakes of vitamin E over 215 mg per day over the course of 10 years were also associated with a 28% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
The news supports the use of multivitamins and particularly vitamin E, much-maligned and linked to increased risk of “all-cause mortality” in a controversial meta-analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2004.
The new study, led by Gaia Pocobelli from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington, also contradicts conclusions from a controversial meta-analysis published originally in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The meta-analysis reported that supplements of vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene may increase mortality risk by up to 16%. On the other hand, vitamin C did not have an effect on mortality.
In terms of other causes of death, Pocobelli reported that multivitamins did not decrease the risk of either total mortality or cancer mortality. On the other hand, vitamins C and E were associated with small decreases in risk of total mortality.
The Seattle-based researchers analyzed the 10-year use of a multivitamin, and vitamin C and E supplements on five-year total mortality, and death from cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Data from 77,719 Washington State residents aged 50 to 76 was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. The data showed that the use of multivitamins and vitamin E were associated with 16% and 28% decreased risk of death from CVD.
American Journal of Epidemiology 138:344-350, 2008
