August 2008
A multitasking multivitamin?
"Worried about cholesterol? Well, now you can lower it," promises a TV ad for Centrum Cardio. The two-a-day, multivitamin/multimineral
supplement contains phytosterols, natural ingredients derived from soybeans that "can lower cholesterol," the ad claims, and
"may reduce the risk of heart disease" when taken with a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
But can Centrum Cardio, which costs $16.99 for a two-month supply, really do that? Possibly, according to research by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent, evidence-based compendium that evaluates natural products for ConsumerReportsHealth.org. The review of the supplement included evidence cited by a spokeswoman for Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, which markets Centrum Cardio.
That review found that the phytosterols in Centrum Cardio are "likely effective." They block the digestive tract's absorption of cholesterol, and according to Wyeth, the evidence suggests they could reduce elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol by 7 to 10 percent in about a month. But there is no research that clearly shows phytosterols reduce the risk of heart disease by other means.
CR's take. Medical experts we consulted said Centrum Cardio is possibly beneficial, along with changes in diet and exercise, for reducing elevated cholesterol levels. But they recommended consulting a health-care professional to establish overall coronary risk and to develop treatment goals, which might or might not include supplements or prescription medication.
But can Centrum Cardio, which costs $16.99 for a two-month supply, really do that? Possibly, according to research by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent, evidence-based compendium that evaluates natural products for ConsumerReportsHealth.org. The review of the supplement included evidence cited by a spokeswoman for Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, which markets Centrum Cardio.
That review found that the phytosterols in Centrum Cardio are "likely effective." They block the digestive tract's absorption of cholesterol, and according to Wyeth, the evidence suggests they could reduce elevated levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol by 7 to 10 percent in about a month. But there is no research that clearly shows phytosterols reduce the risk of heart disease by other means.
CR's take. Medical experts we consulted said Centrum Cardio is possibly beneficial, along with changes in diet and exercise, for reducing elevated cholesterol levels. But they recommended consulting a health-care professional to establish overall coronary risk and to develop treatment goals, which might or might not include supplements or prescription medication.
