Vitamins in aging, health, and longevity

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Epidemiological studies suggest associations between nine vitamins and various disease states.
• High intake of antioxidant vitamins is often linked to reduced risk of major chronic diseases like myocardial infarction and stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence for vitamin-disease associations.
• To compare findings from observational studies with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding vitamin supplementation and health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological and observational studies on vitamin intake and disease risk.
• Analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of vitamin supplementation.

Main Results:

• Observational studies show benefits for antioxidant vitamins, folate (neural tube defects), vitamin D with calcium (fractures), zinc, beta-carotene, vitamin E (macular degeneration), and vitamin E/lycopene (prostate cancer).
• RCTs have not consistently confirmed these benefits; some trials indicate a potential increased mortality risk with high-dose vitamin supplementation.

Conclusions:

• While observational data suggest widespread benefits of vitamin intake, RCTs present a more cautious view.
• High-dose vitamin supplementation, particularly pharmacological, may carry risks, including increased mortality, warranting careful consideration.