Guide to Nutritional Supplements

Should I take vitamins to prevent heart disease?

After looking at all the research on vitamin and mineral supplements, both the US Preventive Services Task Force and the American Heart Association concluded that they should not be taken for the purposes of preventing or treating heart disease.1 There is research showing that people who choose to take vitamin supplements (mostly vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene) are less likely to develop heart disease. However, this is largely because men and women who take supplements tend to be leaner, wealthier, exercise more vigorously, eat healthier, and are less likely to smoke than nonusers.3

Do vitamin E pills prevent heart disease?

No. Not long ago, vitamin E was touted as the...