Multivitamins Warning: New Research Reveals Startling Facts

We all take multivitamins every day. Some of these multi-vitamins fall under the category of anti-oxidants, which theoretically help the body get rid of harmful oxygen radicals. These oxygen radicals are chemical species which cause aging and cancers. But little is known about their protective effects. They might be beneficial to our body as shown by a recent study where anti-oxidants like Vitamin E(in any dose), Vitamin A and Beta-carotene have shown harm.

As a study published recently(Feb2007) in a leading medical journal shows up startling facts. It includes all the studies done in the past over the benefits of vitamins. The study contradicts all our previous notions of vitamins. The verdict is out and so are the vitamins. Straight from the horse's mouth, they finally show up no better than wood chips. There are known to be diseases which occur because of a lack in a Vitamin, but if daily supplement can actually prolong our life is worth investigating. Its a different story altogether as the daily minimum requirement is covered by the food we eat, so is it actually required to increase life expectancy is a matter of speculation.

What are the new findings?

A study reported in JAMA(Feb 28,2007 issue of the top medical journal, reference 1) shows that Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Selenium have no advantage as on delaying death. They are no holy grail and on the contrary, as reported in this study of 232,000 people, can even increase the chance of death. Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Beta-carotene increase the chances of death by about 5% in people who are well fed and have low levels of vitamin deficiencies in normal situations as in USA. The study is an analysis of all previously conducted studies taken together and it came as surprise to the authors to see that a huge number of studies have been reported in the past on various vitamins and their effects.