Physicians' Health Study II Finds No Magic Bullet for Preventing Cardiovascul...( -Vitamins E and C Have Other Impo...),Health

-Vitamins E and C Have Other Important Benefits, Says CRN-

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the Physicians' Health Study II, to be released at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions and to be published in the November 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which examines the effects of vitamin E and C supplementation on cardiovascular events in male physicians, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry, issued the following statement.

Statement by Andrew Shao, Ph.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN:

"We commend the researchers for undertaking this important prevention trial which sought to confirm positive results demonstrated by earlier observational trials on these antioxidant vitamins. Although the results did not demonstrate an overall benefit, the results also do not discount the earlier epidemiological data showing that people with high intakes of vitamins E and C may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Nutrition research is extremely complex, and doesn't always provide clear cut answers. This study raises an interesting set of scientific challenges as to why the benefits found in observational studies have not been confirmed in this kind of trial.

From a consumer's point of view, it can be frustrating to have more questions than answers, but for scientists, this can be intriguing. The truth is, we don't have conclusive scientific evidence in the form of randomized, controlled trials that demonstrate exactly how to prevent cardiovascular disease. We do know there are some well-known practical approaches -- like not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, consuming a diet with a variety of foods, regular exercise, seeing your physician, and responsible use of vitamin supplements. Consumers should not take vitamins expecting that vitamins alone will p
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