Killer Vitamins

If you're taking vitamins A, E or beta-carotene pills, you might want to reconsider after this report by the Copenhagen University that suggests such vitamins appear to raise, not lower, the risk of death.

Vitamins 'could shorten lifespan'

The Copenhagen team reviewed more than 815 clinical trials into the benefits of vitamins A, E, and C, alongside beta-carotene and selenium - all commonly-used supplements.

They selected 68 whose methods were more likely to produce an accurate picture of vitamin benefits, then added their results together to form one, large-scale study.
---
"Considering that 10% to 20% of the adult population in Europe and North America may consume the supplements, the public health consequences may be substantial."

They said there were several different explanations for this increase in risk - and suggested that knocking out 'free radicals' might actually interfere with a natural defence mechanism within the body.

Eating more fruits and vegetables, a more balanced diet in other words,  is a lot safer.  Drinking  coffee and eating  dark chocolate will also add anti-oxidants naturally.