Some antioxidants 'may be harmful'
16 Apr 08
Source: Press Association
There is no evidence that taking antioxidants like vitamins A and E as a supplement prolongs life and some may actually be harmful, research suggests.
A review of 67 studies involving more than 230,000 people found 'no convincing evidence' that antioxidant supplements cut the risk of dying. 'Even more, beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E seem to increase mortality,' the experts wrote.
The review, published by the Cochrane Collaboration, involved trials on beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. Forty-seven trials included 180,938 people and had a low risk of bias. In these trials, the antioxidant supplements were found to significantly increase mortality.
