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Can Vitamins Shorten Your Life?

Recent research suggests that certain vitamin supplements do not extend life, and could even lead to a premature death.

A review of 67 studies found "no convincing evidence" that antioxidant supplements cut the risk of dying, and vitamins A and E can actually interfere with the body's natural defenses.

Antioxidants are thought to prevent damage to the body's tissues called "oxidative stress" by eliminating the molecules called "free radicals" which cause it. Oxidative stress has been implicated in several major diseases, including cancer and heart disease.



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Article's Comment     ( 24 Comments )
 
 
 +27 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY BeeGirl   
  
[ Joined on 04/08 ]
[ Posted on April 18, 2008 ]
Post Reply
Actually vitamins can be lethal, particularly when fired at small game from a slingshot, the advantage being there is no toxic residue plus you get extra nutrition with your meal.
 

 +1 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY DizzyIzzy1   
  
[ Joined on 06/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 18, 2008 ]
 
I like it! :D

 
 +17 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY WH13   
  
[ Joined on 04/08 ]
[ Posted on April 18, 2008 ]
Post Reply
Go back and read the fine print.

In their "meta-study," they excluded 405 studies in which no one died. In the studies they did allow, death from all causes, not merely health-related, were included.

This is the kind of junk science one might expect a site like this debunk.
 

 +8 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY DizzyIzzy1   
  
[ Joined on 06/07 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 18, 2008 ]
 
This seems to be the standard for research these days... exclude the data you don't want, and the results will show what you want. Statistics and outcomes can be so easily manipulated, it's sickening. The problem is, nobody will read this who needs to hear it.

 
 +17 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Maj   
  
[ Joined on 03/07 ]
[ Posted on April 18, 2008 ]
Post Reply
You can read the actual study for free from JAMA, though I think the most relevant information for me came from page 13 of the study in PDF format:

Because we examined only the influence of synthetic antioxidants, our findings should not be translated to potential effects of fruits and vegetables.

Their findings should also not be translated to the potential effects of supplementation from natural sources, either.
 

 +19 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY seg