Article: Antioxidant vitamins: review finds increase in mortality.

The findings infuriated a lot of people--consumers as well as those in the $7 billion-a-year vitamin business. A systematic review of all antioxidant clinical trials found that beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E increase mortality, though things are still unclear regarding vitamin C and selenium. Unlike prescription drugs, vitamins do not have to be proven safe or effective before they go on the market.

Much of the enthusiasm for antioxidants comes from observational studies that showed people who take them have a lower rate of heart disease. But it has long been known that healthy people are the people most likely to take vitamins. Over the last two decades, ...

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