Supplements Continued... Antioxidants

Yesterday I talked about the possible uselessness of multivitamin supplements (MVM). There has also been a lot of buzz in recent years about antioxidants for the same reason – they have been shown to decrease risk of disease and have preventative benefits when obtained from food. Of course, like multivitamins, when something has been shown to be good for us in the food form, someone will decide to make a pill instead. However, unlike multivitamins, some recent evidence is indicating that supplementing the diet with extra antioxidants may actually have negative health effects, and could even increase mortality.

A large review of 68 trials and including over 20, 000 people all over the world found that beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may increase mortality.

The doses were ranged (according to study):

Vit A – 1333-200 000 IU (average of 20 219 IU)

Beta-carotene – 1.2 – 50 mg (average 17.8 mg)

Vitamin E – 10 – 5000 mg (569 mg)

Supplements were taken daily or on alternate days for 28 days up to 12 years, with an average of 2.7 years.

Having no effect (positive or negative), as in the MVM study yesterday is one thing, but increasing the risk of death is not something to be taken lightly. When it comes to antioxidants – stick with what we know for now. Those occurring in foods such as berries and red wine (in moderation) are beneficial, but it’s best to lay off the pills.

Read the study here.

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