Journal of Nutrition Research
An official journal of IAPEN India association
Journal of Nutrition Research
DOI: 10.55289/jnutres/v13i1.25.63
Year: 2025, Volume: 13, Issue: 1, Pages: 7-15
Systematic Review
Zainab Naeem1∗, Syeda Ameena Haider1, Wania Adan1, Kalsoom Akhtar Chaudhry2
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
2Department of Statistics, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding Author
Email: [email protected]
Received Date:01 July 2025, Accepted Date:02 August 2025, Published Date:23 August 2025
Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders are leading contributors to global morbidity and mortality. While genetic and lifestyle factors are known to influence disease risk, emerging evidence highlights the critical role of nutrition, particularly vitamin intake, in the prevention and progression of these diseases. Micronutrients like vitamins B, C, D, E, A, and K are involved in essential physiological functions, including immune response, antioxidant defense, energy metabolism, and cellular repair. Deficiencies in these vitamins have been linked to increased disease risk, yet the evidence regarding the efficacy of supplementation remains inconsistent. This review aims to systematically evaluate current evidence on the preventive potential of vitamin supplementation in reducing the risk of chronic diseases in adults. The focus is to assess both the benefits and limitations across different vitamin types and chronic health conditions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, PubMed Central, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) for studies published between 2018 and 2025. Keywords included “vitamin supplementation,” “chronic disease prevention,” and specific vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, K, and carotenoids). Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, such as study design, population (adult humans), and relevance to chronic disease outcomes. Out of 40 initially retrieved articles, 21 met the criteria for detailed review. Data were extracted independently and synthesized based on vitamin type and associated health outcomes. B-Vitamins are effective in lowering homocysteine levels, with potential benefits in reducing the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. However, evidence for their impact on cancer prevention remains inconclusive. Vitamin E Exhibits antioxidant properties but shows inconsistent results in reducing risks of cardiovascular and prostate cancer outcomes. Lower doses may be more beneficial. Dietary carotenoids may offer protective effects against prostate and lung cancer, though β-carotene supplements increased lung cancer risk in smokers. Strong evidence supports its role in preventing neural tube defects in women of childbearing age. Overall, the effectiveness of vitamin supplementation appears to vary by dosage, bioavailability, population subgroup, and disease type. Vitamin supplementation shows promising potential in chronic disease prevention, particularly in cardiovascular and cognitive health. However, results vary depending on the type of vitamin, dosage, and population characteristics. The discrepancies in existing studies underline the need for more targeted research and personalized nutrition strategies. These findings are crucial for guiding public health policies and clinical practices in the prevention of chronic diseases.
Keywords: Vitamin supplementation, Chronic disease prevention, B vitamins, Folate, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Carotenoids, Cardiovascular health, Cognitive decline, Cancer prevention
© This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Published By India Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN)
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