Long-Term Multivitamin Use Linked to Fewer Heart Problems

A new study finds daily supplementation with a Multi Vitamin may protect men from long term cardiovascular issues like strokes and heart attacks.

Data from over 18,000 male physicians who participated in the Physicians’ Health Study I (PHSI) was analyzed. The men, ages 40 and above, were randomly assigned to receive a daily Multi Vitamin or a placebo for more than 10 years of follow up and intervention. While no significant differences between non Multi Vitamin users and multi vitamin users for major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks were seen in the short term, researchers found a 44% reduction in major CVD events in men who supplemented with the Multi Vitamin for at least 20 years.

It is believed that vitamins and minerals may affect many systems that protect heart health, such as reducing endothelial dysfunction, boosting homocysteine metabolism and protecting low density lipoproteins from oxidative damage.

No evidence of any type of safety concerns with long term Multi Vitamin use was seen.

What should you look for when buying a Multi Vitamins?

-A High Potency B-Complex in the Multi Vitamin, provides support for the production of energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism as well as the production of healthy new cells, hormones and other important biochemicals. B-Complex vitamins are essential for the health of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. They also serve as cofactors for antioxidant production as well as cell signaling processes.

-The B-Complex should be timed released and balanced. The B Vitamins are water soluble so unless the B Vitamins are timed released, what your body can not assimilate will be released by the body and not utilized.

-Look for high levels of the fat-soluble Vitamins A,D and E which provide support for the immune system, the skin and bone health in addition to providing antioxidant protection.

-Other nutrients which support important biological processes like iodine and selenium for thyroid function support and selenium, manganese, copper and citrus bioflavonoids which provide antioxidant support should also be included. Choline and Inositol, two of the B vitamins know to support neurotransmitter synthesis and function along with boron for bone health also need to be present.

Here are two examples of Multi Vitamins that do it right: