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Vitamins and minerals: efficacy and safety
1Council for Responsible Nutrition, Washington, DC 20036-1609, USA. hathcock@crnusa.org
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Vitamin and mineral supplements have separate safety and efficacy profiles. Higher intakes than recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) can reduce disease risk, but some nutrients carry risks at very high levels.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Supplement Research
Background:
- Safety and efficacy of vitamin and mineral supplements are distinct considerations.
- Current recommendations may not fully capture potential health benefits of higher nutrient intakes.
- Understanding the safety margins for various nutrients is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate between safety and efficacy of nutrient supplementation.
- To evaluate the impact of exceeding Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) on disease risk.
- To clarify the evidence base for both benefits and adverse effects of specific supplements.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing scientific evidence.
- Analysis of data on nutrient intakes, disease risk reduction, and adverse effects.
- Comparison of safety margins across different vitamins and minerals.
Main Results:
- Intakes exceeding RDAs for nutrients like calcium, folic acid, and vitamin E show disease risk reduction potential.
- Very high intakes of certain nutrients (e.g., vitamins A, D, niacin) can cause adverse effects.
- Many purported adverse effects of vitamin C, vitamin E, and chromium lack strong scientific support.
Conclusions:
- Limiting nutrient intake to RDAs may prevent disease risk reduction.
- Nutrient safety margins vary significantly, necessitating individualized assessment.
- Evidence does not support widespread concerns about adverse effects for several commonly supplemented nutrients.
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