Today's Article

Common Supplements Don’t Help Heart Health

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It’s a 1leading cause of 2heart disease. High levels of bad cholesterol can cause 3blockages and lead to 4heart attack or 5stroke. But some common 6supplements may not be the answer, according to a new study.

“When these supplements are marketed as heart healthy, or cholesterol management, it’s, it’s 7misleading to the public.”

Study author, Dr. Luke Laffin, says he’s seen an increase in patients using supplements since he says they aren’t evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. He and his colleagues wanted to research whether there was a health benefit. They studied six of them: fish oil, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice, then compared results to a 8placebo and medicines commonly used to treat heart disease, like statins.

“These don’t work. They, they’re not 9effective in terms of lowering cholesterol.”

In a statement, a trade association for the supplement industry said, “Dietary supplements are not intended to be quick fixes and their effects may not be revealed during the course of a study that only spans four weeks.” Dr. Laffin says not everyone needs to be on medicine to lower cholesterol. A 10healthy diet and exercise can help for some. But he says those who do need extra help should talk to their doctor about options. He says some supplements can also 11adversely interact with other medications.

“They’re probably not doing anything to help your quote, unquote, “heart health” but, and you know in certain cases they may actually be 12harmful.”