In a world where we’re all trying to be a little healthier, science has come out with something new that makes us wonder: “What does it all mean?”
From skin care to hair care, vitamins to exercise, there are certain things you should always keep in mind to stay healthy and live a long life.
But what if I told you it does more harm than good?
Look, I’m not just talking about collagen and retinol (which I love) that half of the UK population takes regularly and which may clear up blockages faster.
Health fads come and go, but take this one? This one has been brought up as something we need to take to make sure our bodies get everything they need to function properly.
However, government scientists found it “may increase the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease”.
Drink this and say goodbye to life. Getty Stock
Sounds great. So what is it?
Multivitamin tablets.
You read that correctly, no need to squint.
Apparently, the pills found in every supermarket, pharmacy and beauty store can potentially kill you.
Yeah, I know I’m exaggerating, but when you take as many vitamins as I do, it’s cause for concern.
One study linked these pills to an increased risk of premature death.
US researchers noticed this surprising result after examining the health records of 400,000 people with no serious long-term illnesses and finding that those who took multivitamins were slightly more likely to die within 20 years than those who did not.
(I’m slowly trashing my stash now).
According to the Mirror, government scientists said “the use of multivitamins to extend life expectancy is not supported.”
This is not the first study to point this out.
The cause of premature deaths associated with the pill is said to be related to iron and beta-carotene.
They’re found naturally in Guinness beer (oi, oi) and anything that’s yellow, orange or red in color.
In fact, beta-carotene is the reason vegetables are their color… the more you learn, the more you realize.
Multivitamins may lead to early death. Getty Stock
Because it acts like an antioxidant, the range of health benefits you can get from consuming it is wide-ranging.
According to Healthline, antioxidants may help prevent heart disease, certain cancers, and even “cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s.”
But it’s natural form from vegetables.
According to a report in The Guardian, taking natural beta-carotene may help prevent cancer, but when it comes in supplements it may increase the risk of certain cancers.
This, combined with excess iron intake, can increase the risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more.
Dr Erica Loftfield, who led the study with her team at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, argued that they found no evidence that taking a daily multivitamin could reduce the risk of death, but a study published in Jama Network did find a 4% increased risk of premature death in people who took multivitamins.
What you do with this information is up to you.
