Vitamins Can Kill, Warns Shocking New Study

'No benefit' found in antioxidants
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 16, 2008 4:10 AM CDT
Vitamins Can Kill, Warns Shocking New Study
A new study says the there are no health benefits from taking vitamin supplements and some may actually cause death.    (Getty Images)

Antioxidant vitamin supplements do not improve health or prevent disease—and may even cause death, according to new research. In a stunning blow to millions who take vitamins, a review of 67 studies involving 230,000 users showed "no convincing evidence" that antioxidants had any benefit, and linked vitamin A supplements to a 16% increase in premature death, reports the Daily Telegraph.

"People given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality," said the lead researcher. Scientists theorize that some supplements may interfere with the body's natural defenses. A spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association characterized the findings as "deeply worrying," and called for more regulation of vitamin and mineral supplements. (More vitamins stories.)

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