JAMA February 2007 PMID 17327526

Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Goran Bjelakovic, Dimitrinka Nikolova, Lise Lotte Gluud, Rosa G Simonetti, Christian Gluud

Mentions

130
Peak: 2 in Apr 2021
across 6 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

40,520
potential audience

Total likes

268

Video views

6,276

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News51 articles
  • Blogs35 articles
  • Facebook27 posts
  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • Reddit4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions heavily feature phrases like 'may increase mortality' and references to specific vitamins such as beta carotene and vitamin A, demonstrating alignment with the article’s findings. The tone ranges from cautious skepticism to active discussion of health impacts, showing participants are deeply engaged with the implications of the research, highlighting both agreement and curiosity about potential changes in health practices.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most social discussions acknowledge that certain antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamin A may increase mortality, clearly supporting the publication's findings.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show high interest by referencing specific vitamins, the implications of supplementation, and debates on health practices.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts delve into detailed commentary on the research, including mentioning biases, dietary recommendations, and philosophical debates about health, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts reflect recognition of the study's importance, with some suggesting it could influence health recommendations or undermine supplement industry claims, indicating some impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of antioxidant supplements like beta carotene, vitamin A, C, E, and selenium on mortality rates in adults, based on 68 randomized trials with over 232,000 participants.
  • Overall, when including all trials regardless of bias risk, antioxidant supplements did not significantly affect mortality, but low-bias trials showed a tendency for increased death rates, especially with certain vitamins and selenium.
  • Specifically, high-quality low-bias trials indicated that supplements such as beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E might actually raise mortality, while vitamin C and selenium had no significant effect.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ichor Grad Student
@IchorGrad · X

1) https://t.co/V08G5FTVAA 2) https://t.co/TlkvVeNZka 3) https://t.co/ZkcSPJ1Yed 4) https://t.co/DpBASzBHhh 5) https://t.co/x9sKeYHBfY 6) https://t.co/QhKVbmcDas 7) https://t.co/O9GFtGhFS1 8) https://t.co/fISwohRkOL

Dec 1, 2023 · 5 likes · 2,723 followers View post →
Michael Joyner
@DrMJoyner · X

Cautionary tale about bioplausible anti-aging supplements ⁦@DShaywitz⁩ ⁦@jflier⁩ https://t.co/IKkO5luJdJ

Feb 12, 2019 · 4 likes · 16,710 followers View post →
化学物質過敏症・対策情報センター
@mcs_bic · X

ベータカロチン、ビタミンA、およびビタミンEによる治療は、死亡率を高める可能性があります。 死亡率に対するビタミンCとセレンの潜在的な役割については、さらに研究する必要があります。 https://t.co/gRpQLTB9kn

May 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 4,255 followers View post →
Sebastian Laube
@sebastianlaube · X

Die Leerdenker und Aluhutler schreien schon "Sauerstoff ist Gift - hört auf zu atmen!" https://t.co/hwZ3qOU8By

Apr 12, 2021 · 1 like · 381 followers View post →
luis hernan graffe
@hernangraffe · X

RT @hernangraffe: https://t.co/HI3SizzBvr

Aug 25, 2023 · 1 share · 3,111 followers View post →
luis hernan graffe
@hernangraffe · X

https://t.co/HI3SizzBvr

Aug 24, 2023 · 1 share · 3,111 followers View post →

All mentions

ianfmusgrave
@ianfmusgrave · X

@BlairHealt68622 @JasonTPA @GidMK Treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may increase mortality https://t.co/NN6ho2efuI Supplementation of healthy adults with multivitamins has no benefical effects https://t.co/7u8mGneTc7

Mar 26, 2025 · 2,719 followers View post →
Дмитрий
@dimanolas · X

https://t.co/bTJT4Au5uU

Feb 4, 2024 · 18 followers View post →
Ichor Grad Student
@IchorGrad · X

1) https://t.co/V08G5FTVAA 2) https://t.co/TlkvVeNZka 3) https://t.co/ZkcSPJ1Yed 4) https://t.co/DpBASzBHhh 5) https://t.co/x9sKeYHBfY 6) https://t.co/QhKVbmcDas 7) https://t.co/O9GFtGhFS1 8) https://t.co/fISwohRkOL

Dec 1, 2023 · 5 likes · 2,723 followers View post →
luis hernan graffe
@hernangraffe · X

RT @hernangraffe: https://t.co/HI3SizzBvr

Aug 25, 2023 · 1 share · 3,111 followers View post →
luis hernan graffe
@hernangraffe · X

https://t.co/HI3SizzBvr

Aug 24, 2023 · 1 share · 3,111 followers View post →
복부지방법원
@degorgemantae · X

덴마크에서 했다는 메타분석은 "항산화 보충제"에 들어간 비타민A,E를 구체적으로 겨냥하고 있으나, 기사는 이제부터 비타민 보충제 전체에 대한 공격을 시작한다. 이 쯤 되면 그냥 하고싶은 말씀 하시려고 아무 연구나 가져오신 것 같은데. https://t.co/a3eZ8Gad4Y https://t.co/codSTV1lH9

Jun 30, 2022 · 201 followers View post →
化学物質過敏症・対策情報センター
@mcs_bic · X

ベータカロチン、ビタミンA、およびビタミンEによる治療は、死亡率を高める可能性があります。 死亡率に対するビタミンCとセレンの潜在的な役割については、さらに研究する必要があります。 https://t.co/gRpQLTB9kn

May 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 4,255 followers View post →
Sebastian Laube
@sebastianlaube · X

Die Leerdenker und Aluhutler schreien schon "Sauerstoff ist Gift - hört auf zu atmen!" https://t.co/hwZ3qOU8By

Apr 12, 2021 · 1 like · 381 followers View post →
Potato Fan
@nosoyyo7 · X

Taking antioxidant supplements ⬆️mortality here; Vit A esp has been found to be harmful in others too. One could promote eating lots of plant-based safe antioxidants but then you’d be called a Nazi because victims of imperialism don’t mind cancer. https://t.co/hb0p96C4PS https://t.co/nkzcAycuvF

Mar 17, 2020 · 661 followers View post →
Southern New Yorker
@SouthernNYorker · X

We know nothing.... Mortality in Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplements for Primary and Secondary Prevention https://t.co/mb4hVoue93

Dec 21, 2019 · 351 followers View post →
Michael Joyner
@DrMJoyner · X

Cautionary tale about bioplausible anti-aging supplements ⁦@DShaywitz⁩ ⁦@jflier⁩ https://t.co/IKkO5luJdJ

Feb 12, 2019 · 4 likes · 16,710 followers View post →