The Role of Vitamin Supplementation in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Events

Abstract

The production, sale, and consumption of multiple vitamins is a multibillion‐dollar industry. Most Americans take some form of supplement ostensibly for prevention of cardiovascular disease. It has been claimed that vitamin A retards atherogenesis. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is thought to possibly decrease free radical‐induced endothelial injury, which can lead to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Vitamin E has been extensively studied for its possible effects on platelet function as well as inhibition of foam‐cell formation. Low levels of vitamin D have been thought to negatively impact myocardial structure and increase the risk for cardiovascular events. Increased intake of vitamin B6, B12, and folate has been associated with reduction of homocysteine levels; elevated homocysteine blood levels have been associated with the occurrence of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death. The purpose of this study was to review the currently available literature for vitamin supplementation with respect to prevention of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, the current evidence suggests no benefit exists with vitamin supplementation in the general US population. Further research is needed to evaluate whether there are specific populations that might benefit from vitamin supplementation.

Chronic Kidney Disease Alters Vitamin A Homeostasis via Effects on Hepatic RBP4 Protein Expression and Metabolic Enzymes

“…This suggests that in patients with CKD, RA concentrations in retinoid target tissues, such as the immune system, liver, and skin, are also altered as serum RA concentrations have been shown to correlate with tissue concentrations and reflect altered retinoid metabolism in target tissues . Increased retinol, RBP4, and RA concentrations may lead to adverse outcomes; chronically elevated plasma retinoid concentrations have been associated with osteoporosis/osteopenia, cardiac events, and hypertriglyceridemia (and other dyslipidemias), which are distressingly common in patients with CKD. Normalizing retinoid homeostasis in this population could play a major role in reducing these coincident conditions.…”

“…Normalizing retinoid homeostasis in patients with CKD could play a major role in reducing coincident osteoporosis/osteopenia, cardiac events, and hypertriglyceridemia (and other dyslipidemias) . A clearer understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanism of elevated RBP4 and retinoids is critical in order to develop pharmacologic and dietary interventions to reduce circulating retinoid concentrations and avoid common comorbid conditions.…”

Therapeutic advances in the treatment of Peyronie's disease

“…This study, however, had a small number of patients and its results were not concordant with those from previously published studies on the combination of vitamin E with other agents (Inal et al ., ; Safarinejad et al ., ). Common adverse effects of vitamin E include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, possible cerebrovascular events, and some potential concern of increased prostate cancer risk (Klein et al ., ; Levine & Burnett, ; Desai et al ., ).…”

Understanding the Role of the Immune System in the Development of Cancer: New Opportunities for Population-Based Research

“…For example, although vitamin C was initially heralded for its impact on the immune response to infections, based on experimental data, randomized clinical trials on the common colds have shown no benefit of vitamin C to prevent the common cold (116). Similarly, studies on antioxidants vitamins A and E have not yielded expected results on diseases with strong inflammatory components, such as cardiovascular disease (117).…”