Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases
Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C
Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Abstract
Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of antioxidant supplements and mortality.
Key Findings
Beta-carotene and vitamin E supplementation were associated with increased all-cause mortality in analyses of low-bias-risk trials.
Conclusions
Antioxidant supplements including beta-carotene do not prevent mortality and may increase it.
Limitations
Pooling of clinically diverse populations and doses; heterogeneity across trials.
Supplements Studied
Beta-carotene and vitamin E supplementation were associated with increased all-cause mortality in analyses of low-bias-risk trials.
Antioxidant supplements did not reduce mortality in primary and secondary prevention trials
Antioxidant supplements did not reduce mortality; beta-carotene and vitamin E were associated with increased mortality
vitamin C (3637 dead/36,659 (9.9%) versus 2717 dead/29,283 (9.3%); 29 trials, RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.07)
Outcomes Measured
Beta-carotene and vitamin E supplementation were associated with increased all-cause mortality in analyses of low-bias-risk trials.
Beta-carotene and vitamin E significantly increased mortality; no antioxidant supplement reduced mortality
Antioxidant supplements did not reduce mortality; beta-carotene and vitamin E were associated with increased mortality
The antioxidant review found no mortality benefit and harm from beta-carotene and vitamin E
We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Beta-carotene and vitamin E seem to increase mortality, and so may higher doses of vitamin A.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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