Researchers say taking vitamins may shorten your life

by Chris Sparling (Subscribe to Chris Sparling's posts)
Apr 16th 2008 12:12PM

Categories: Vitamins and Supplements, Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health

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In a surprising bit of news, researchers from Copenhagen University recently asserted that antioxidant supplements do nothing to extend life and, perhaps even more shocking, that "beta-carotene and vitamins A and E seem to increase mortality."

Even after various outside factors were taken into account, the researchers linked vitamin A supplements to a 16-percent increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a 7-percent increased risk and vitamin E to a 4-percent increased risk, reported the BBC news in a recent release.

Researchers speculate that taking these supplements may somehow interfere with the body's utilization of vitamins and minerals derived from food sources. Beta-carotene, for instance, is thought to change the way a body utilizes fats. As such, the researchers -- as well as the Department of Health in the U.K. -- urge people to exercise caution when using supplements and, if possible, to get the vitamins and minerals they need from their diet.

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Comments (5)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

iamjames 4-16-2008 @ 1:17PM

What? So what about a daily multi-vitamin, healthy or killer? 16% increase is huge, that's like smoking 3 packs a day.

iamjames 4-16-2008 @ 1:17PM

the most shocking thing about this study: big business wasn't able to stop it.

The article states that the supplement industry is a 330 million british pound industry in the UK alone. Telling people to stop taking vitamins and instead just eat normally slaps the entire industry right in the face and profits no one.

So much for lobbyist and big business influencing all these studies.

Judy 4-16-2008 @ 2:12PM

This, and other studies I have seen, do have me questioning whether I (and my sons) should continue taking our daily multi. We eat a pretty good diet overall, but we're lacking in greens for sure, and I've always thought a multi couldn't do any harm, but now I feel uncertain.

Vishaal 4-16-2008 @ 7:20PM

I'm never really phased by new health/fitness knowledge because it's all no brainers, but this one really got me thinking. Frustrating.

marcie0305 4-16-2008 @ 10:22PM

I put this in the category of fluoridated water - additives do help people who are lacking, but can hurt those who are getting what they need in other ways. There is no blanket answer for everyone.

I guess, people just need to educate themselves, and not rely on "news" to tell them what to ingest...

~Marcie
http://feedingblackmail.blogspot.com