Re: beta carotene increases mortality

From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lcrocker@mercury.colossus.net)
Date: Fri Jun 04 1999 - 13:34:15 MDT


> > Just the opposite, they die sooner than expected.
>
> actually I think it was a typo on doug's part because the conclusions in
> the abstract show that it decreases incidence of prostate cancer.

A small positive effect overridden by larger negative effects.
On the whole, taking beta carotene supplements will tend to
shorten your life, especially if you're a smoker. Eating foods
rich in carotenes is a different story; studies have shown
generally positive results. Practical upshot: if you are taking
beta carotene supplements not specifically prescribed for some
condition, you should quit, especially if you smoke since they
promote lung cancer. But don't worry about the carrot cake.

--
Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lcrocker.html>
"All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past,
are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified
for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC


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