Vitamin supplementation in healthy patients: What does the evidence support?

Vitamin A

Vitamers: Retinol; retinal; retinyl esters; provitamin A carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin)

Physiologic role: Essential for vision and corneal development. Also involved in general cell differentiation and immune function

Dietary sources: Liver, fish oil, dairy, and fortified cereals. Provitamin A sources: leafy green vegetables, orange/yellow vegetables, tomato products, fruits, and vegetable oils Retinoids and their precursors, carotenoids, serve a critical function in vision, as well as regulating cell differentiation and proliferation throughout the body.² While evidence suggests mortality benefit of supplementation in populations at risk of deficiency,⁴⁵ wide-ranging studies have found either inconsistent benefit or outright harms in the developed world.

The takeaway: Given the USPSTF grade “D” recommendation and concern for potential harms, supplementation is not recommended in healthy patients without risk factors for deficiency.²

Vitamin E

Vitamers: Tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-); tocotrienol (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-)

Physiologic role: Antioxidant; protects polyunsaturated fats from free radical oxidative damage. Involved in immune function, cell signaling, and regulation of gene expression

Dietary sources: Nuts, seeds, vegetable oil, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals

Vitamin E is the collective name of 8 compounds; alpha-tocopherol is the physiologically active form. Vitamin E is involved with cell proliferation as well as endothelial and platelet function.²

The takeaway: Vitamin E supplementation’s effects on cancer, cardiovascular disease, ophthalmologic disorders, and cognition have been investigated; data is either lacking to support a benefit or demonstrates harms as outlined above. Given this and the USPSTF grade “D” recommendation, supplementation is not recommended in healthy patients.²

Vitamin C

Vitamers: Ascorbic acid

Physiologic role: Required for synthesis of collagen, L-carnitine, and some neurotransmitters. Also involved in protein metabolism

Dietary sources: Primarily in fruits and vegetables: citrus, tomato, potatoes, red/green peppers, kiwi fruit, broccoli, strawberries, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, and fortified cereals

Vitamin C supplementation at the onset of illness does not seem to have benefit.

Ascorbic acid is a required cofactor for biosynthesis of collagen, neurotransmitters, and protein metabolism.² In addition to the shared hypothesized benefits of antioxidants, vitamin C supplementation has undergone extensive research into its potential role in augmenting the immune system and preventing the common cold. Systematic reviews have found daily vitamin C supplementation of at least 200 mg did not affect the incidence of the common cold in healthy adults but may shorten duration and could be of benefit in those exposed to extreme physical exercise or cold.⁴⁸ Vitamin C supplementation at the onset of illness does not seem to have benefit.⁴⁸ Data is insufficient to draw conclusions about a potential effect on pneumonia incidence or severity.^119,120

The takeaway: Overall, data remain inconclusive as to potential benefits of vitamin C supplementation, although risks of potential harms are likely low.

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