Vitamines et prévention de maladies cardiovasculaires : quelles preuves ?

In past decades, the effects of vitamin and mineral supplements on the prevention of cardiovascular disease (and cancer) have been under intense scrutiny by the scientific community and health authorities. The scientific bases for guidelines are supported by laboratory experiments that have led to the identification of bioactive molecules in cellular systems and in experimental animals. They are comforted by the epidemiological observation of nutritional habits at the level of the populations. However, many prevention trials, conducted in rigorous experimental conditions, using active compounds and placebos, did not confirm the laboratory experiments and epidemiological observations. Therefore, it appears that the administration of vitamin supplements in order to prevent cardiovascular events is not recommended.