A new study published has found that there are no substantial health benefits from taking the most popular vitamin and mineral supplements.
Taking the most commons supplements such as multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and vitamin C does not help prevent health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, stroke or premature death, the study found.
Conversely, the findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that taking the supplements did not increase any health risks.
The study by researchers from St Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto analyzed existing data and trials published between January 2012 and October 2017.
As part of the study, the researchers reviewed the most commonly consumed supplements such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6, B9 (folic acid), C, D and E, as well as the minerals β-carotene, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and selenium.
"We were surprised to find so few positive effects of the most common supplements that people consume," said Dr. David Jenkins, the lead author of the study, as reported by Science Daily.
"Our review found that if you want to use multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium or vitamin C, it does no harm -- but there is no apparent advantage either," he added.
The study found that folic acid and B-vitamins with folic acid were the only supplements that could actually help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The research team suggested people eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables rather than rely on vitamin and mineral supplements.
"In the absence of significant positive data -- apart from folic acid's potential reduction in the risk of stroke and heart disease -- it's most beneficial to rely on a healthy diet to get your fill of vitamins and minerals," Jenkins said, according to Science Daily.
"So far, no research on supplements has shown us anything better than healthy servings of less processed plant foods including vegetables, fruits and nuts," he added.
A Gallup poll in 2013 found that more than half of Americans take vitamin supplements. Among those aged 65 and older, as many as 68 percent are taking multivitamins, the survey found.
In 2014, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said there was no sufficient evidence to confirm the benefits or harms of nutrient supplements in preventing cardiovascular disease or cancer.
