Vitamins Do More Harm Than Good
Vitamins do more harm than good according to experts. Apparently a review of 67 studies found no convincing evidence that antioxidant supplements help to increase life, but there is a possibility they could act in reverse and shorten life expectancy…
It would appear that experts have stated that Beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E given singly or combined with other antioxidant supplements significantly increase mortality.” However, Vitamin C did not appear to have any effect one way or the other, and the team said more work was needed into this supplement and into selenium.
The beta-carotene dose ranged from 1.2mg to 50mg daily, with an average of 18mg, while vitamin C ranged from 60mg to 2000mg daily, with an average of 497mg.
Various antioxidants were tested vitamin A was linked to a 16% increased risk of dying, and beta-carotene to an increased risk of 7%, while vitamin E leveled out at a 4% increase.
The outcome of the review show that people in the trial groups given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E all showed an increased mortality rate.
Vitamin C and Selenium may or may not have either positive or negative effects on the body. More data on these two supplements need to come from future trials.
Patrick Holford, who has formulated some supplements for the firm Biocare, said the Cochrane review was a “stitch up”. He also added: “Antioxidants are not meant to be magic bullets and should not be expected to undo a lifetime of unhealthy habits. But when used properly, in combination with eating a healthy diet full of fruit and vegetables, getting plenty of exercise and not smoking, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health.”
My own personal view, I agree with Patrick Holford I have found that the supplements I use along-side exercise, and diet have helped greatly in keeping me healthy, and when it comes to coughs and cold Tea Tree essential oil can not be bested.
