USPSTF: Taking vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements doesn't prevent CVD and cancer

In June 2022, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its 2014 recommendations to state that, for most vitamin, mineral, and multivitamin supplements, there is not enough evidence recommend or against taking them prevent CVD cancer.However, strong show that two vitamins—vitamin E beta-carotene—should be taken these conditions.Studies suggest no benefit vitamin E, beta-carotene can harmful, said John Wong, MD, one of task force members a primary care clinician in Department Medicine at Tufts Medical Center.Beta-carotene increases risk lung cancerEvidence shows harmful because it cancer people who are already risk, such as those smoke, previously smoked, have been exposed asbestos.“The use also dying from cardiovascular disease may increase death overall all-cause mortality,” Chyke Doubeni, MPH, chief health equity officer Ohio State University Wexner Center. “The estimates increased were order 6% any cause, 10% CVD, 18–28% cancer.”Anyone should discuss which supplements take with professional, Wong.Recommendation limitationsThis USPSTF recommendation applies healthy adults do known suspected nutritional deficiency special needs.It does apply children, pregnant become pregnant, chronically ill hospitalized.People food insecure sufficient quantity quality deficiencies, according USPSTF.Someone has receive specific mineral replace what deficient lost, case iron deficiency.“It unclear me studying would address gaps given substantial heterogeneity groups,” Doubeni. “However, ideal conduct studies populations currently high prevalence vitamins minerals—that difficult achieve.”There support fact disproportionately rates Black American Indian/Alaskan Native due long history social economic disadvantages groups, structural systemic barriers United States.Stronger needed know whether minerals (besides E) provide more than harm. “It critically important future include adequate numbers groups experience disproportionate cancer, particularly Indigenous people. Inclusiveness research national priority,” Doubeni.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)How pharmacists helpPharmacists critical role educating about supplements. “I suspect many ask using improved general health, prevention, live longer,” “People advised eat balanced diet, physically active, maintain healthful weight, alcohol only moderation.”In addition recommendations, told excessive amounts some A D, could Doubeni.“Pharmacists [should] patients assess drug interactions,” Wong.If they medical reason, follow advice their clinician(s) concerns make an informed decision on continue discontinue them, And believe condition and/or minerals, clinician, he noted.USPSTF's diet exercise, other available through Prevention TaskForce app, Wong. separate recommendation, recommends everyone planning folic acid.View (PPT)CVD Prevention: summaryUSPSTF made several changes earlier this year aspirin CVD: ▪People 60s older longer consider starting first heart attack stroke. New harms cancel out benefits. (Grade D)▪Taking 40s. For time, 40s talk see if higher developing stroke, so, right them. C)▪The latest closer balance harm 50s. They start aspirin. C)As statin disease, released draft statement consistent prior final 2016. reviewing public comments draft, held that: between 40 75 years old statin. B)▪People but statins. decide together C)▪More 76 (I Statement)Grade definitions: A, strongly recommended; B, C, recommendation; I, insufficient recommendation. cancer. However, conditions. Studies Beta-carotene Evidence asbestos. cancer.” Anyone Recommendation This needs. It hospitalized. People USPSTF. Someone deficiency. achieve.” There States. Stronger How acid.CVD Pharmacists moderation.” “Pharmacists If noted. USPSTF's acid. C) As Statement) Grade