Once again, an article that demonstrates lack of effectiveness of vitamin pills,. This time for heart disease. In an article in this week's Archives of Internal Medicine Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, the study's principal investigator and chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, says: "The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was 'the first large-scale trial of vitamin C in cardiovascular disease prevention.'" This study "looked at the effectiveness of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene supplements individually, as well as all three supplements at doses above the recommended daily allowance in two- and three-way combinations." Dr. Manson added, "The findings also mean 'we have to redouble the efforts on conventional prevention' such as healthy diet, exercise, weight control and avoiding tobacco. Taking pills containing antioxidants doesn't reduce the risk of heart disease in women most at risk"
[Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:1610-1618.]
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