Routine Vitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease

Release Date: June 2003

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This topic page summarizes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on vitamin supplementation to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents

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Summary of Recommendations

• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against the use of supplements of vitamins A, C, or E; multivitamins with folic acid; or antioxidant combinations for the prevention of cancer or cardiovascular disease.
  Grade: I Statement.
• The USPSTF recommends against the use of beta-carotene supplements, either alone or in combination, for the prevention of cancer or cardiovascular disease.
  Grade: D Recommendation.

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Supporting Documents

Routine Vitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease, June 2003
Recommendations and Rationale (PDF File, 181 KB; PDF Help)
Cancer Prevention: Summary of Evidence (PDF File, 639 KB; PDF Help)
Cancer Prevention: Update of the Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials, 1999-2002 (PDF File, 549 KB; PDF Help)
Routine Vitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: A Summary of the Evidence (PDF File, 143 KB; PDF Help)

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Current as of June 2003

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Internet Citation:

Routine Vitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease, Topic Page. June 2003. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsvita.htm

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