Some Popular Supplements
Could Be Harmful, New Federal Guidelines State.
The new guidelines were compiled by researchers with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and published in the journal 'JAMA.'.
They represent the first new recommendations on supplements from the task force since 2014.
Vitamin E and beta carotene supplements were singled out as potentially harmful for some users.
The USPSTF recommends against the use of beta carotene or vitamin E supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Paper,
via 'JAMA'.
In addition, the task force found that the effectiveness of most other vitamins requires more study.
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms... , U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Paper,
via 'JAMA'.
... of the use of multivitamin supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Paper,
via 'JAMA'.
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the use of.., U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Paper,
via 'JAMA'.
... single- or paired-nutrient supplements (other than beta carotene and vitamin E) for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer. , U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Paper,
via 'JAMA'.
One of the co-authors of the study pointed out that the task force "is not saying 'don't take multivitamins.'".
But there's this idea that if these were really good for you, we'd know by now, Jeffrey Linder, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, via Science Alert.
Instead of focusing on the unknown potential of supplements, medical professionals say patients should focus on what is known to work. .
[Patients are] wasting money and focus thinking there has to be a magic set of pills that will keep them healthy.., Jeffrey Linder, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, via Science Alert.
... when we should all be following the evidence-based practices of eating healthy
and exercising, Jeffrey Linder, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, via Science Alert