Do vitamin and mineral supplements really promote heart health? Some older studies suggested that calcium supplements have heart health benefits.

Vitamins and your heart Image: iStock Do vitamin and mineral supplements really promote heart health? Some older studies suggested that calcium supplements have heart health benefits. Studies on fish oil showed it was is good for your heart, too. But calcium supplements have come under scrutiny following a report that men who took more than 1,000 milligrams of supplemental calcium daily over a 12-year period were 20% more likely to succumb to heart disease than those who didn't take the pills. And while some studies have found that popping fish oil capsules lowers the chance of having a heart attack or other related problem, others have failed to find such benefits. Some observational studies have also shown links between heart health and higher intakes of certain vitamins — specifically, vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and three B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12). But more rigorous studies that compared people who took specific vitamins with those who took placebos have come up short. In fact, guidelines from the American Heart Association state that supplements of the vitamins listed above should not be taken to prevent heart disease. Not only do they not help, there's even some suggestion that taking vitamin E supplements may slightly raise the risk of heart failure and hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes. Get your copy of Diagnosis: Coronary Artery Disease Most people fear heart disease — and with good reason: it’s the leading cause of death for both men and women. But something that people may not realize is that preventing this disease is often within their control. Most people who develop heart disease have one or more major risk factors that are within their power to change. These include lack of exercise, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. There are surefire ways to tackle these risk factors that you can include in your daily life. The bottom line? It's better to get your nutrients from foods, not pills. When you eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains, you don't get individual nutrients in isolation — you get a blend of vitamins, carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fat, all of which have been proven to be beneficial for heart health. For more on the latest advances in treating coronary artery disease, buy Diagnosis: Coronary Artery Disease, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Share this story: Featured in this issue Diagnosis: Coronary Artery Disease Featured content: • What is coronary artery disease? • Recognizing and reducing risk factors • Assessing your level of cardiovascular risk • Special bonus section: Lifestyle habits that help your heart • Diagnosing heart disease •  ... and more! Click here to read more » Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics. Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family. PHONE ORDERS - please call our toll-free number: 1-877-649-9457. You are currently subscribed to HEALTHbeat as dr.samah.saied.ahmed@gmail.com. EDIT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PROFILE UNSUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE TO HEALTHbeat VIEW HEALTHbeat ARCHIVES Visit our website at: www.health.harvard.edu Email us at: healthbeat@health.harvard.edu FOLLOW US ON:  Facebook Twitter Copyright © 2015 by Harvard University. Harvard Health Publications, 10 Shattuck Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA * Please note, we do not provide responses to personal medical concerns, nor can we supply related medical information other than what is available in our print products or website. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician.