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Q. I keep hearing about taking antioxidant vitamins, like beta carotene and vitamin E, as a way to prevent heart disease. Is there any truth to this, and if so, why isn't everybody recommending them?
A. We have all been inundated with hype surrounding antioxidants and heart disease. Again, before jumping onto the bandwagon, let's pause a second to look at the data. The
infatuation with antioxidants comes from two sources:
LDL may get oxidized before it can cause heart disease and antioxidants may prevent this from happening; and survey studies suggest that people who take in more antioxidants get less heart disease.
The problem is that until controlled studies are done, we can't really be sure. A case in point is beta carotene: two large studies were recently reported showing that beta carotene did not prevent heart disease and in fact may have been associated with an increased risk of cancer! At this point, there seems to be no reason to take beta carotene supplements. So far, we only have one small study with vitamin E which was not definitive. Several more studies are on their way. In the meantime, what should people do? Although taking vitamin E is probably not harmful, most experts feel it makes sense to wait until we have proof that it really works.
Q. Can't I just prevent heart disease by taking the right vitamins?
A. The concept of taking vitamins to prevent heart disease is a great one--the problem is that we don't have any proof that they really do. Our only evidence is based on nutritional surveys that suggest that people who eat foods richer in vitamin E, vitamin C, and others are less likely to have heart disease. However, these same people could be getting more exercise and watching their health in many other ways, so these studies don't prove that it's the vitamins that make the difference. Quite a few |
studies
are going on right now to try to investigate this question. Until we have more information it's hard to recommend any vitamins on a routine basis. However, your doctor may have specific reasons for recommending certain vitamin supplements.
Q. Is it true that just taking one aspirin a day helps to prevent heart attacks?
A. Yes, amazing but true: aspirin has been proven in many studies to help prevent both heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin thins the blood a little in a way that decreases heart disease risk. Acetominophen and ibuprofen will not do the same thing. Aspirin should be a routine part of any effort to decrease the risk of developing heart disease, but talk with your doctor before starting it.
Q. What are the scientifically proven ways that I can reduce my chances of getting heart disease?
A. Here are the things that are proven to help prevent heart disease:
- Diet low in total and saturated fat
- Frequent aerobic exercise
- Quit smoking - if you are a smoker
- Treatment to lower elevated cholesterol
- Treatment to lower elevated blood pressure
- Treatment for diabetes
- Aspirin at least once every other day
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Hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women
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The great thing
about heart disease is that it can be prevented. If you think
you might be at risk for heart disease, talk to your doctor
about ways that you can reduce your risk.
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The
Team