In a recent press release, a Chicago study of 68 existing studies on Beta carotene and vitamins A and E have been found to increase the risk of death. The review consisted of studies on almost 250,000 people using these antioxidants.
According to critics, many of the study’s participants were chronically ill before starting antioxidant treatments. Researchers have not found evidence of risks associated with natural antioxidants found in fruits or vegetables; only in synthetic supplements.
Synthetic supplements have higher concentrated levels of antioxidants and can therefore be more problematic. Antioxidants fight free radicals that can cause cell damage. The study explained that by wiping out the free radicals from our bodies, we are interrupting important defense mechanisms needed to fight disease.
According to the study, using antioxidants Beta carotene and vitamin A and E, can increase the chance of mortality by 5 %. Vitamin C, which is thought to increase longevity, was shown to have no real effect on longevity at all.
While the study may demonstrate that Beta carotene, vitamin A and B may not help you live longer it does not have the valid and reliable support needed to back the claim that antioxidants can actually increase your risk of death.
Check with you physician, especially if you are using anitoxidants as a form of treatment for a serious illness, and consult other surveys that contradict this latest study and recommend antioxidants.
