What are the latest findings on the impact of dietary supplements on health, performance, and disease prevention?
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Latest Findings on the Impact of Dietary Supplements on Health, Performance, and Disease Prevention
Dietary Supplements and Chronic Disease Prevention
Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
Recent meta-analyses have evaluated the efficacy of dietary supplements in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Supplements containing vitamin E have been shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality risk, while folic acid supplements have been linked to a reduced risk of CVD1. However, other supplements, including vitamins D, C, and K, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and eicosapentaenoic acid, did not show significant risk reduction for these outcomes1. Notably, vitamin A was associated with an increased cancer risk, and β-carotene supplements were linked to a slight increase in all-cause mortality1.
General Health and Disease Prevention
The use of dietary supplements is widespread, particularly in populations with inadequate nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. For instance, vitamin A and iron supplementation is crucial in developing countries to address deficiencies among women of reproductive age, infants, and children. Similarly, folic acid supplementation is recommended for women of reproductive age and during pregnancy, while vitamin D and calcium are important for bone health in older adults2. Despite these targeted benefits, the overall evidence supporting the use of dietary supplements for chronic disease prevention remains inconsistent2 7.
Dietary Supplements and Sports Performance
Nutritional Intake and Performance Enhancement
In the realm of sports, dietary supplements are primarily used to enhance nutritional intake, performance, and muscle mass among athletes. Supplements such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other botanical dietary contents are popular among athletes to boost their overall consumption of food and improve performance4. However, it is crucial to note that many supplements contain banned substances, and their consumption can lead to doping violations. Therefore, sports pharmacists play a significant role in educating athletes about the safe use of dietary and nutritional supplements4.
Efficacy and Safety of Dietary Supplements
Scientific Evidence and Skepticism
Despite the potential benefits, there is a generalized distrust of dietary supplements for disease prevention and management. This skepticism is partly due to the overwhelming abundance of minimally regulated and poorly supported claims driven by marketers rather than sound science6. For example, while resveratrol has shown promising results in cellular and rodent studies, its effects are not easily translated to human outcomes due to limited bioavailability and rapid metabolism6. Consequently, the nutritional science community emphasizes the need for robust scientific evidence to support the use of dietary supplements6.
Antioxidants and Micronutrients
Antioxidant micronutrients have shown beneficial effects in preventing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and age-related ocular diseases. In critically ill patients, antioxidant supplements have been associated with reduced organ failure and infectious complications9. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal combinations and doses of these micronutrients9.
Conclusion
The latest findings on dietary supplements highlight both their potential benefits and limitations. While certain supplements like vitamin E and folic acid have shown promise in reducing cardiovascular risks, others have not demonstrated significant benefits or have even posed risks. In sports, supplements can enhance performance but must be used cautiously to avoid doping violations. Overall, the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements require more robust scientific evidence, and their use should be guided by healthcare professionals to ensure optimal health outcomes.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Dietary Supplements and Risk of Cause-Specific Death, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Primary Prevention Trials123
Dietary supplements with vitamin E and folic acid show small beneficial effects in reducing cardiovascular mortality risk, but overall evidence is insufficient for primary prevention of cause-specific death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedDietary supplements and disease prevention — a global overview
Dietary supplements can improve health and meet micronutrient requirements, particularly in developing countries and those at risk of deficiencies.
Highly CitedDietary supplements and risk of cause-specific death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: a protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis of primary prevention trials
Dietary supplements may not lower the risk of chronic diseases, and some may even increase it, and this study aims to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in primary prevention trials.
Very Rigorous JournalRole of dietary supplements in sports performance
Dietary supplements enhance athletes' nutritional intake, performance, and muscle mass, while minimizing the risk of non-communicable diseases and promoting a longer lifespan.
Food and Nutritional Supplements: Their Role in Health and Disease . Edited by J.K. Ransley, J.K. Donnelly N.W. Read Berlin Heidelberg New York: Springer-Verlag. ISBN 3-540-41737-0
This book reviews the evidence for the benefits of dietary supplements and highlights the need for robust scientific evidence to guide their addition to foods and prescriptions.
Dietary Supplements in Management and Prevention of Chronic Disease
Dietary supplements should be evaluated based on their doses, effectiveness, and safety, and should be based on sound science rather than marketing hype.
Dietary Supplements—For Whom? The Current State of Knowledge about the Health Effects of Selected Supplement Use
Taking vitamin and mineral supplements does not lower cardiovascular disease risk or prevent malignancies, and weight loss supplements are not effective; their use should be recommended and monitored by a physician.
Literature Review
Rigorous JournalEffects of Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Cardiovascular Outcomes
Nutritional supplements and dietary interventions show mixed results in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, with no clear evidence supporting routine use of any supplement for prevention.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedCan oxidative damage be treated nutritionally?
Antioxidant micronutrients have beneficial effects in preventing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, age-related ocular diseases, and reducing organ failure and infectious complications in the general population and critically ill patients.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedCoenzyme Q10 supplementation: Efficacy, safety, and formulation challenges.
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation shows potential in reducing morbidity and healthcare costs for various noncommunicable diseases, but more research is needed on its efficacy, safety, and formulation challenges.
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