Supplements such as vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene thought to make people healthier were actually found to adversely affect life spans. This, nutritionists said, means that people need to eat a balanced diet instead of relying on supplements for needed nutrition.
Dr Frankie Phillips, a nutritionist at the British Dietetic Association, said, "Our advice is to eat a wide range of foods in a balanced diet which can provide all of the nutrients the body needs to protect itself and combat diseases."
Researchers combined 815 clinical trials involving the supplements to find that each supplement has different risk factors. Beta-carotene posed a 7 percent increased risk of death, vitamin A a 16 percent increase and vitamin E a 4 percent increase.
The study said, "Our findings contradict the findings of observational studies claiming that antioxidants improve health. Considering that 10 percent to 20 percent of the adult population in Europe and North America may consume the supplements, the public health consequences may be substantial."
