Cochrane Reviews Anti-oxidants

[coach hale]

Cochrane Review pans antioxidant supplements.

A 191-page Cochrane Collaboration review has concluded that "current
evidence does not support the use of antioxidant supplements in the
general population or in patients with certain diseases." The review
encompassed 67 clinical trials with a total of 232,550 participants
randomized to antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A,
vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) versus placebo or no
intervention. Twenty-one trials included 164,439 healthy
participants. Forty-six trials included 68,111 participants with
gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, ocular,
dermatological, rheumatoid, renal, endocrinological, or unspecified
diseases. There were no significant differences in the effect of
antioxidant supplements among healthy participants (primary
prevention trials) or those with various diseases (secondary
prevention trials). Overall, it appeared that (a) beta-carotene,
vitamin A, and vitamin E significantly increased mortality, (b)
vitamin C had no effect on longevity, (c) and selenium data showed
benefit only in studies suspected of being biased. [Bjelakovic G and
others. Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in
healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007176.
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007176]
Wiley InterScience :: Session Cookies

thanks,
coach hale