World | UK
'No positive or negative effects' for vitamin C
Vitamin supplements taken by millions of people in the hope of extending their lives may actually increase the risk of premature death in some cases, researchers said on Wednesday.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:15 April 17, 2008
- Antioxidants are promoted as helping to protect the body from free-radicals, highly reactive molecules capable of causing damage in the brain and other tissues.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
London: Vitamin supplements taken by millions of people in the hope of extending their lives may actually increase the risk of premature death in some cases, researchers said on Wednesday.
Scientists reviewed 67 studies on 230,000 people to see whether so-called antioxidant vitamins prolonged life expectancy.
They found that vitamin C, often taken in an attempt to ward off colds, seemed to have no positive or negative effects.
Vitamins A and E, traditionally used to help strengthen bones and improve circulation, showed if anything, increased rates of mortality, as did beta-carotenes, which are taken for healthy vision.
"The bottom line is that current evidence does not support the use of antioxidant supplements in the general healthy population or in patients with certain diseases," said Goran Bjelakovic, who carried out the review at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.
"We could find no evidence to support taking antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of dying earlier in healthy people or patients with various diseases."
He added: "The findings of our review show that if anything, people in trial groups given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality.
Antioxidants are promoted as helping to protect the body from free-radicals, highly reactive molecules capable of causing damage in the brain and other tissues. As well as vitamins A, C and E, they include zinc, ginkgo biloba, grape seed extract and green tea extract.
Share this article
UK
'US raised Iraq issue hours after 9/11'
Cars explode in massive London fire
Large fire hits London: 310 people evacuated
Duchess of York's missing PA found
London Business School honours Mohammad
3-year-old boy stabbed to death by father
Queen gets new dress on birthday card
Commission begins inquiry into Iraq war
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
-
The walking MP
Rory Stewart's long walk in life has taken a new turn
-
What drives Africa's new kind of refugees?
Warming-driven factors have led many in the continent to flee their homes
