Cardiovascular disease and cancer are more common than you think and have claimed many lives. According to the National Library of Medicine, approximately 17.7 million people die annually from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) while cancer also accounts for over 8 million deaths each year.
WHO also describes cardiovascular disease as a series of heart and blood vessel disorders. Some of these disorders are coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. These groups of cardiovascular diseases are often caused by unhealthy lifestyles (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity) stress, family history, and more.
On the other hand, cancer is the abnormal cell growth with the possibility of spreading across the surrounding tissues. Although cancer could start anywhere in the human body, it’s predominant in the breast, prostate, colon, and skin. An unhealthy diet, obesity, smoking, exposure to dangerous chemicals/radiation, genetic factors, and excessive alcohol can cause cancer.
Although the discussion on cures for cardiovascular disease and cancer remains elusive, the scientific community has made progress with treatment, early detection, and prevention with lifestyle modification, chemotherapy, surgery, and more.
This article will focus on the US Preventive Service Task Force's statement on using vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent Cardiovascular Risk Assessments in Maryland.
Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer with Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
While vitamins (like Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, and K) are a series of organic compounds that maintain normal metabolism in the body system, the minerals (calcium, iron, and zinc) are inorganic compounds that the human system requires to maintain its functionalities. These compounds can either be combined or not.
Based on the vitamins and minerals reviewed by USPSTF, there was no evidence of serious harm. However, there was a spike in the reports of lung cancer with the use of beta carotene (with or without vitamin A) from patients smoking tobacco or exposed to occupational asbestos. It’s a fact that excessive vitamin can result in seizures, nausea, and more.
While a moderate vitamin A supplement can reduce bone mineral density, the excessive dosage can be hepatotoxic (damaged liver) or teratogenic (defect birth). Similarly, higher usage of vitamin D can result in hypercalcemia (high level of calcium in the blood) and kidney stones.
Let’s examine some of the benefits of vitamin and mineral supplements based on USPSTF-discovered randomised clinical trials (RCTs):
Beta Carotene With or Without Vitamin A
USPSTF discovered 6 RCTs accounting for health outcomes with the beta carotene supplement. 1 out of these 6 RCTs studied beta carotene with vitamin A. It showed an increased risk statistically insignificant for all-cause mortality with beta carotene use above 4 to 12 years. Another pooled analysis of 5 studies showed a statistically significant increase in risk for cardiovascular disease mortality related to beta carotene supplements 4 to 12 years of follow-up.
Additionally, two RCTs were conducted on patients who either smoked or were exposed to asbestos at their workplace and discovered a high risk of lung cancer with a beta carotene supplement.
Vitamin A
1 RCT accounted for no association between vitamin A supplementation and all-cause mortality. The vitamin A and beta carotene effect together on lung cancer is at a higher risk.
Vitamin E
Approximately 9 RCT announcements on health outcomes that relate to the vitamin E supplement demonstrated that there are no benefits associated with vitamin E usage on all-cause mortality after 3 to 10 years of follow-up or on the outcome of any event of cardiovascular disease.
Final Thoughts
According to the USPSTF review, there was little to no evidence of serious harm in vitamins and mineral supplements. However, the most serious harm identified was an increased risk of lung cancer (in persons who smoke or exposure to asbestos in the workplace), which is associated with beta-carotene supplements at doses of 30 and 20 mg/d. In one of the RCTs, Vitamin A was also administered at a dose of 25,0001U/d, exceeding the current tolerable vitamin A intake level in adults.
Now we’ve established that there is little or no evidence that vitamin and mineral supplements can be used as preventive measures against cardiovascular disease and cancer. One of the most proactive measures to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer is through assessment. Undergoing cardiovascular risk assessments allows you to prevent heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, and arrhythmias.
If you are looking to do a cardiovascular risk assessment in Maryland, Cardiocare is your best option. We understand that preventing cardiovascular disease at an early stage is the foundation of a healthy heart. You can reach us at 5530 Wisconsin Avenue, Ste 700, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
Ready to have your cardiovascular risk assessment? Click on this link to book your appointment with us.