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Vitamins A, C and E are 'a waste of time and may even shorten your life'
Last updated at 00:52am on 17.04.08
Claims: Are vitamins and supplements doing more harm than good? (Posed by a model)
After reviewing 67 studies involving more than 230,000 men and women, the experts say there is no convincing evidence that taking supplements of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E can make you healthier.
The alarming findings, published today, will shock Britons who spend £333million a year on supplements.
Forty per cent of women and 30 per cent of men take a vitamin pill each day.
The review involved trials on beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium.
It says in-depth analysis of the different trials does not support the idea that vitamins extend lifespan.
'Even more, beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E seem to increase mortality,' says the review.
Vitamin A was linked to a 16 per cent increase in mortality, beta-carotene - the pigment found in carrots, tomatoes and broccoli which the body converts into vitamin A - to a 7 per cent increase and vitamin E to a 4 per cent increase. However, there was no significant detrimental effect caused by vitamin C.
'There was no evidence to support either healthy people using antioxidants to prevent disease or for sick people to take them to get better,' said the review.
It said more research was needed on vitamin C and selenium.
Antioxidants are used by the body as protection against free radicals, which are molecules produced during normal metabolism.
These can damage the body if they flourish in an uncontrolled way as a result of illness, overexposure to toxins or ageing.
It is thought antioxidants such as vitamin C confer health benefits by 'grabbing' or neutralising free radicals, and many people take them as health 'insurance'.
The theory behind using antioxidants is to combat oxidation - the chemical reaction that causes metals to rust - which in cells can damage DNA, thus raising the risk of cancer, other diseases and the changes associated with ageing.
Previous human and animal laboratory research suggested that boosting antioxidant levels in the body might extend life, but other studies produced neutral or even harmful results.
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The review is published by the Cochrane Library, a publication of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organisation which evaluates healthcare research.
Altogether 47 trials involving 180,938 people were classified as having a low risk of bias which showed 'antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality'.
Goran Bjelakovic, who led the review at the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark, said: 'We could find no evidence to support taking antioxidant supplements to reduce the risk of dying earlier in healthy people or patients with various diseases.
'The findings of our review show that if anything, people in trial groups given the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E showed increased rates of mortality.
'There was no indication that vitamin C and selenium may have positive or negative effects. So, regarding these antioxidants, we need more data from randomised trials.
'The bottom line is that current evidence does not support the use of antioxidant supplements in the general healthy population or in patients with certain diseases.'
The review does not offer any biological explanation as to why supplements can cause harm, although it has been suggested that betacarotene, for example, might interfere with the body's use of fats.
There is no suggestion from the review that a healthy diet including plenty of vegetables and fruit - natural sources of antioxidants - is harmful.
The latest scare has infuriated many in the vitamins industry and nutritionists such as Patrick Holford who believe there is a campaign by the medical establishment to discredit their products and their role in optimising health.
Mr Holford said the review was 'a stitch-up' because all the studies were chosen strictly for reducing mortality, and not for the many advantages reported in other studies.
He said: 'The only way this review could produce the negative results was by finding reasons to exclude most of the positive studies, including all the positive ones on selenium.'
Although the authors claimed to be assessing antioxidant supplements for the prevention of mortality, they excluded all studies - 405 of them - which reported no deaths.
Mr Holford said: '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.
'I take, and will continue to take an all-round antioxidant supplementing containing these nutrients as well as CoQ10, lipoic acid and resveratrol - the "red wine" factor - and also eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables.'
Pamela Mason, of the industry-backed Health Supplements Information Service, said: 'Antioxidant vitamins, like any other vitamins, were never intended for the prevention of chronic disease and mortality.
'They are intended for health maintenance on the basis of their various physiological roles in the body and in the case of antioxidant vitamins, this does, in appropriate amounts, include a protective antioxidant effect in the body's tissues.
'These vitamins are essential for health and many people in the UK do not have an adequate intake.
'A vitamin supplement taken in recommended amounts can be beneficial for health, especially for those people whose intakes are poor.'
Reader views (38)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Science is just now beginning to understand the intricacies of natural occurring phytonutrients and antioxidants. Of course antioxidants are good for you. We simply cannot duplicate what nature provides. We used to believe vitamins in pill form and fruits are the same. Yes, the chemical make-up of the vitamin itself is identical, but the thousands of phytonutrients we are still discovering cannot be duplicated. Don't use this article as a reason to stop taking antioxidants in their natural forms.
- Jeremy, Atlanta, GA, USA
Exactly how do you determine if someone dies earlier than expected? What is used for a control in these studies? Could it be that the same person in an alternate universe who did not take the supplements lived longer?
- Shannon Wilkerson, Del Valle, TX, United States
Interesting that the story doesn't include any data that would support the claim that supplements can increase mortality! I was looking for the "how" and "why" and was not satisfied. There was some journalistic neglect is featuring a half-complete story.
- Nancy Rigby, Westford, MA
It is good to see this information get attention. Some countries are battling over-nutrition, and vitamin supplements are a waste (except calcium with vit D.) To equate vitamins in a bottle with vitamins in fruits and veges is silly. No one can pack all the micro nutrients of these foods into a pill. If you like "natural" things, then get off pills and eat healthy foods.
- Larry, Birmingham, USA
You can not live forever, live heather take vitamins trust me they work.
- Joe, bethlehem u.s.a.
Let's agree -- EVERYTHING cases death! You eat vitamins -- you will die, you do not eat them -- you will die, too! And about "prematurely" -- some people live longer than others no matter what they eat, or drink, or even smoke. So let's just do whatever we sense is appropriate for us...
- Jia, Chicago, USA
Study makes sense, supplements are junk. It's best to obtain vitamins and minerals from good diet and proper nutrition, not by popping pills.
- Tom, Phoenix, AZ, USA
So, vitamins in foods are healthy, but supplements are not! Does anyone see the divergence in this statement?
- Ben, Alexandria, USA
Strange, isn't it , that we're hearing more of this pap about how supplements are harmful--particularly when the codex alimentarius is coming on board and the agenda is to restrict what we may have access to. One must always ask, Cui Bono?
- Hank, New Orleans, LA, USA
Some good questions raised here:
*Synthetic* vitamins and minerals, as opposed to natural derivatives, have indeed proven to be ineffective (example: mineral supplements that are oxides, iron oxide, etc, are made by dissolving inorganic materials in hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, and the precipitate is then used as a 'vitamin' ingredient);
Disproportional amounts of any chemical or ingredient over time can cause problems; several years ago there was a Yale study in which white mice were simply given saline solution (same ph as tear-drops) and almost all developed tumours; the conclusion was not that saline causes tumors but that a forcible imbalance of blood chemistry does lead to overreaction, ie, tumours.
This study doesn't seem to take "lifestyle" into account: stress is a very real factor (overproduction of adrenaline, norepinephrine, etc), plus the fact we are all exposed repeatedly to unnatural light and sound sources: fluorescent light, radio, micro and electronic waves, etc.
This study seems to refer only to "oil based" vitamins such as A, D, E, which can accumulate in the tissues and later break down; unlike water based vitamins like C and the B-complexes.
Take this "study" with a grain of salt - and don't get me started on sugar substitutes!
- George Zucco Iii, USA
All the studies said was that the anti-oxidants in question didn't extend life and that large doses can cause harm. That kind of goes without saying, doesn't it?
Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. That is all that is needed. Some people who can't do that may need to take supplements like those mentioned above.
Also, the comment about Homoeopathy cracks me up. Where do think the pharmaceutical (sp?) industry came from? It sprang from hundreds of years of herbalists and alchemists using natural remedies. The pharm industry just super concentrates a lot of what comes in nature and puts in a nice easy pill.
- Matt, Dallas, Tx
Who sponsored this research, the pharmaceuticals? Then it is not an independent study.
- David, Vancouver, Canada
This study is a weak meta-analysis of cherry-picked vitamin studies. The vitamins in question are such weak antioxidants they barely even deserve to be called "antioxidants." Try doing some testing on a Rreal antioxidant such as R-lipoic-acid or catalase and try to tell me they have no effect... the actual science indicates the effects are profound over the long term.
- Pt, Austin, TX, USA
It doesn't matter if the chemical you ingest is naturally occurring or produced in a lab, it can still be dangerous. Eat some nightshade berries for example. You may die the natural way. Too bad natural!= safe.
- Jhauser, IL, USA
I can't tell if vits. work or not, but I'll stay on them...just in case. At least, in my mind, I feel good taking them.
- P8triot1, Rural Mich USA
Whenever I see a "study of studies" like this my junk science warning flags go up. Whatever the conclusion, pro or con, I make it a point to ignore it. These things are usually conducted by groups or individuals looking to add support to some forgone conclusion and should not be confused with a real scientific study.
- Kevin Miller, Rindge, NH, USA
Another example of selective use of scientific data. The researchers found what they were looking for because they ignored the data which might have led to a different conclusion. There are so many studies showing benefit from these and other supplements the authors chose to ignore that it's obvious they started out with a bias. Who paid for this research, anyway -- the pharmaceutical industry? Next we'll be hearing that if you are depressed it's because your body has a deficiency of Prozac. BTW, Scott, not all vitamins are pills. Some are actual plant concentrates and are not created in a lab.
- George, Atlanta, GA, USA
The only people I see dying are the people taking big pharma's medications, not vitamins!
- Dan, Middletown Oh USA
Hmmm, they draw their conclusions using 47 studies that only included deaths and excluded 405 studies because they had zero deaths. It doesn't take a statistician to realized they skewed the results by eliminating studies that disproved their main finding.
- Wally, Dallas USA
The study would have a different conclusion if a prescription were required for vitamins.
- Bensenville Butch, Chicago, USA
The problem is synthesized vitamins as opposed to food-sourced vitamins. Synthesized vitamins replace real vitamins in your body and are of little actual value. Look for food-source vitamins - they are what you really want.
- Ramon, NY USA
"respected scientists" respected by whom? I've been taking a daily regimen of a multi, a C, and E, and an aspirin for over thirty years. I'm the healthiest person I know. I also exercise, eat lots of veggies and avoid meat, especially swine flesh.
- Buddy Walker, Lake Odessa, Mi, USA
It is important to know who funded this report, and then you will also usually find the "vitamin" used was synthetic, used alone, and in either too small amounts or too large amounts, depending on what was the intent to "prove". Sometimes also, the people used in the study are smokers or people with serious diseases which are more likely to prove the outcome of vitamins may "increase mortality". The intent surely is not to help us as consumers lead healthier lives. The reason being, there is a lot of money in drugs so it is in their interest to turn us away from natural health promoting lifestyles to one of dependence on doctors and their prescriptions.
- Sherril, Mesa, USA
Scientists are so certain about everything, until they change their minds. They come up with the big bang, evolution, nutrition, and it's all just guess work.
People are living to be 100 years old now, so keep doing whatever you're doing and make sure that your produce has lots of pesticides on it, it drives the liberal tree huggers crazy.
- Move To Australia, Beat The Rush., Cahokia, illinois USA
The Cochrane panel claims it reviewed previously published studies in order to determine whether vitamin users 'die later', but then used the wrong methodology to determine that.
Just because the users in disparate studies died younger than non-users in other studies has no bearing on whether they lived longer than expected. The variables that distinguish one study from another make comparing the results almost impossible, but scientific charlatans often bundle other researchers' work together in preposterous comparisons.
This is pure junk science with an illogical conclusion.
- Dennis Boston, Boston USA
Doesn't living too long increase the mortality rate?
- Pat, Ohio
And another fine article, sponsored by BIG Pharma! Thank you, folks, thank you!
- Jjirons, USA
Like the recently exposed Merck studies, no doubt written by the finest PR-directed ghost writers money can buy. You need to provide about four tonnes of additional info on all these "respected" scientists and the funding sources and background of the Institute.
- William, NYC, NY
Mr. Holford's claim that vitamins have any benefit in someone that eats a complete, balanced and healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies is ridiculous and shows just how much the supplement industry tries to scare people. The key to health is in balance, not taking huge boluses of any chemical, including vitamins (yes they are chemicals just as much as penicillin is). It's not healthy to take a bunch of pills that do nothing but make your kidney's work hard to make your urine fluorescent.
- Scott, Minneapolis, USA
Question is of course, are the vitamins organic or lab produced in the studies?
- Randy Vice, Tequesta USA
I guess these researchers know something Linus Pauling did not.
- Phil Mccrakin, Schmegamville, NZ
It's been suggested that I take 4 laxatives a day, followed up by a massive enema each night before I go to bed and pray that the planet doesn't burn up. Needless to say my duties as an inventor keep me from trying this regimen.
- A. Gore, USA
I am an ante-Diluvian and I can attest to the fact that an apple a day keeps the Angel of Death away. On the other hand, I have five fingers.
- Methuselah Jones, Jerusalem, Israel
There is no magic pill. Eat right and you will get all the nutrition you need.
- Smith, Cary,USA
I am eating a sausage a day. In a year or two there will be a report telling me that it is healthy.
- Bj, London
Unfortunately the supplements industry uses the public's misconception that these products are beneficial to generate huge sales. If they are confident in their products then they should not object to them going through the same rigorous testing procedures that regular drugs have, at great expense to that industry.
Then the public will know for sure whether proper scientific research can demonstrate any benefit (unlikely). The same should apply to remedies such as homoeopathic liquids (proven utter nonsense).
I should state that as a competitive cyclist I take CQ10 and glucoseamine sulphate supplements after hard training or competition (I avoid vitamin c and others simply because they do not work) so I am happy to accept the idea of supplements so long as there is independent research to back them up. Mr Holford and Ms Mason are certainly not independent.
- James, London
Sadly, the end product of this study excludes so much that it is worthless and an insult to the Cochrane Library. Mortality is high dose related. Beta-Carotene increases risks in smokers. No proof of mortality has been excluded and regular RDA has not been disproved. This study needs investigation.
- Maria, London
There are so many of these reviews, some say we should all take supplements, others say we shouldn't. Personally I'll keep taking them in moderation, I certainly feel healthier
- Headhunter, London
