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Do vitamin and mineral supplements really prevent disease? In two clinical trials and a meta-analysis, researchers evaluated the efficacy of dietary supplements.
In a double-blind trial, investigators evaluated whether oral multivitamins prevent adverse cardiovascular events in people with histories of myocardial infarction. More than 1700 patients (mean age, 65) were randomized to a 28-component, high-dose multivitamin and mineral supplement or to placebo. Only half of participants adhered to study preparations for at least 3 years. After a median follow-up of 4.6 years, incidences of recurrent adverse cardiovascular events were similar in the two groups (about 30%). In subgroup analysis of people who didn't take statins at baseline, event …