Antioxidants May Decrease Longevity
health watch, wacky finds, vitamins, nutrition, antioxidants
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A new study argues that vitamin supplementation does not increase life expectancy. In fact, the study shows that you may be more likely to suffer premature death as a result of vitamin supplementation.
The study, conducted by Cochrane Collaboration, was based on 47 trials with over 180,000 people. According to the study, "antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality". They specifically picked out Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene as making you more likely to die before your scheduled trip to the afterworld.
Apparently, Vitamin A was linked to 16% increased risk of dying, Vitamin E increased risk by 4%, and beta-carotene increased risk by 7%. Vitamin C and selenium showed no risk, but also showed no benefit in longevity.
Since these vitamins are commonly referred to as "antioxidants" - research has suggested these chemicals underlie some of the beneficial effects of eating fruit and vegetables because they soak up harmful byproducts of metabolism which can damage cells and cause aging.
While the evidence of a beneficial effect of a diet rich in fruit and veg is solid, the Cochrane data suggest antioxidant supplements are either useless or detrimental.
What they seem to suggest is that anti-oxidant supplementation has byproducts which cause you to age faster. So it may cause you to look older, sooner, and possibly die... sooner.
I have to say that I'm somewhat skeptical about this. People seem to be able to prove anything with a study, and once you say the word "death" everyone seems to give it more than a glance. This could be a case of scientists trying to get some shine with an attention grabbing study.
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on 4/20/2008
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