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.

A large number of past studies might reflect an extensively marketed campaign by the slavering drug companies and now much to their annoyance it seems to have back-fired. The increase in reported death is chiefly because of cancer and cardiac diseases. The increased death has not been seen with Vitamin C and Selenium, nonetheless, they are not effective in prolonging life either.

What about the vitamins in fruits and vegetables, are they harmful too?

The study can not be generalized on other food. This study reflects the effect of vitamin supplements(extra vitamins in the form of tablets). The authors have warned on the application of the study findings on fruits and vegetable for two possible reasons:

1)Fruits have various other molecules which are potentially beneficial.

2)Fruits and vegetables have the vitamin content lower than that of the usual vitamin supplements we take and so might not have the same harmful effect.

Vitamin D and Calcium supplements can still be taken because of the overall benefits shown in studies. The vitamins studied in the aforementioned scientific evidence belong to the antioxidant category.
So, it turns out that more of a good thing is not always good, like it did in case of an exorbitant marketing by the ever greedy drug companies...

References:
1.Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C.Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA. 2007 Feb 28;297(8):842-57.