How would you like to take one product and reduce your heart attack risk, increase your bone density, and boost your overall health? Well, if you ask the national media, theyll tell you its not possible. But two new studies say it is.
In a group of elderly people, a multivitamin/mineral significantly improved their nutritional status, bone health, and reduced falls. The ultivitamin/mineral greatly enhanced the supplemented groups vitamin D, folate, and B12 levels. Bone density was greater and there was a 63 % reduction in falls in the supplemented group.
A second study found terrific health benefits. Non-users had a 45% risk of elevated homocysteine (a serious heart attack risk factor). Single supplement users had a 37% risk. Multivitamin/mineral users had only an 11% risk of high homocysteine. Multivitamin/mineral users also had lower C-reactive protein and triglycerides. Both are markers of cardiac risk. And they had higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
In addition, subjects in the multivitamin/mineral group had lower risk of high blood pressure. Their risk of diabetes was 73% less compared to non-users. Their risk of coronary disease was 52% less than non users. Finally, subjects taking multiple vitamins/minerals reported having good or excellent health status 74% more often than non-supplement users.
Its always possible that theres a placebo effect in the personal health rating. But the overall better bone density and cardiovascular markers would be hard to pin on placebo effect. For the average American, I like the use of a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement. The formulation in Healthy Resolve offered by Advanced Bionutritionals is a fine formulation for most people.
Ref: Grieger, J.A., C.A. Nowson, et al. Multivitamin supplementation improves nutritional status and bone quality in aged care residents, Eur J Clin Nutr, 2007 November 28.