Despite a lot of initial excitement, B vitamins turn out not to lower the risk of a second heart attack in people who've already survived one, according to a large study that experts say closes the issue...So let's do the tally.
The researchers randomly assigned more than 12,000 heart attack survivors to take either placebo pills or vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) and folic acid (2 mg). Then they followed the patients for almost seven years to see if the vitamins would protect them.
About a quarter of the patients on placebo pills suffered a heart attack or a stroke over the follow-up period. In the vitamin group, slightly more people did so, despite their considerably lower homocysteine levels...
Another important question was the safety of folic acid, which is added to foods in many countries -- including the U.S. but not the U.K. -- to avoid the birth defects that may result if pregnant women don't get enough of the vitamin.
Cancer, which was the main concern, was not statistically increased in patients who took the vitamins.
The results "are reassuring in the sense that there were no safety concerns," said Armitage.
However, earlier studies have pointed to potential cancer risks, and Ebbing, who has studied the issue herself, said the long-term consequences of vitamin B supplements were still uncertain.
B vitamin group - more heart attacks (though possibly not statistically significant - unless you are one of the statistically insignificant victims)
B vitamin group - possibly more cancers (possibly not)
Still think they have any idea what a safe or effective supplement is?
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