PubHawk
N Engl J Med May 1996 PMID 8602180

Effects of a combination of beta carotene and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

G S Omenn, G E Goodman, M D Thornquist, J Balmes, M R Cullen, A Glass, J P Keogh, F L Meyskens, B Valanis, J H Williams, S Barnhart, S Hammar

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Mentions

104
Peak: 7 in Jan 2020
across 6 sources since Jan 2020

Extended reach

509,034
potential audience

Total likes

4,017

Video views

336,698

Mentions per month

Jan 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective comments display strong agreement with the article’s findings, citing large-scale RCTs that showed increased risks of lung cancer and mortality, often emphasizing the dangers of antioxidant supplements for high-risk groups. Words like 'harm,' 'fraud,' and references to specific data points reflect high engagement and the perceived importance of the research on health decisions.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions agree with the findings, emphasizing that RCTs show harm rather than benefit from beta carotene and vitamin A, highlighting a consensus on the publication's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

The posts demonstrate high interest, referencing specific clinical trials, mortality data, and detailed research outcomes, indicating active engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many discussions analyze study results, cite scientific evidence, and criticize misleading interpretations, revealing deep engagement with research methodology and health implications.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions underscore the significant impact of the research by warning against supplement use and highlighting the harmful effects, influencing public health perspectives.

Abstract in brief

  • The study, called the Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial, tested whether taking beta carotene and vitamin A could prevent lung cancer and cardiovascular disease in over 18,000 smokers, former smokers, and asbestos-exposed workers, but found no benefit.
  • Results showed that those taking the supplements had a slightly increased risk of developing lung cancer and dying from lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and any cause, leading to the early termination of the trial after about four years of follow-up.
  • Overall, the combination of beta carotene and vitamin A did not prevent lung cancer and might have actually increased the risk of adverse health outcomes in the high-risk groups studied.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mikhail V. Blagosklonny, MD PhD Professor Oncology
@Blagosklonny · X

Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 12, 2020 · 18 likes · 6 shares · 22,300 followers View post →
KOJI@プライマルコーチ
@kojija · X

【過剰ビタミンAの癌促進効果】 βカロチン30mg レチノール25,000IU /日　 抗ガン、抗心血管疾患リスク抑制の二重盲検RCT 4年目で 肺がん死亡リスク　46%⇧ 心血管疾患死亡リスク　26%⇧ まさかの逆効果で予定より21ヵ月早く試験打ち切り https://t.co/runDFjoJx1 https://t.co/thCp1IRkY5

Apr 15, 2021 · 12 likes · 1 share · 2,311 followers View post →
Dr. Ilin Gilberto de la Torre M.
@IlindelatorreMD · X

Los antioxidantes no han extendido la vida útil en ningún ensayo clínico. Son “peor que inútiles”. En dos ensayos controlados aleatorios muy grandes, aumentaron la incidencia de cáncer, especialmente de pulmón, en fumadores. https://t.co/Hu6RhriGsM https://t.co/VY1z2hFtDi

Jan 31, 2023 · 7 likes · 4 shares · 45,821 followers View post →
Martin Smollich
@ErnMedBlog · X

Nach Raucherstatus wurde hier nicht unterschieden. Schon seit den 1990er Jahren ist bekannt, dass mit der Vitamin-A-Zufuhr (Nahrung oder NEM) das Risiko für Lungenkrebs (v.a. bei (Ex)Rauchern) ansteigt. https://t.co/6iJmwF0Gim https://t.co/Z5OHmgAXFO https://t.co/Hci9ovCiBA

Sep 6, 2022 · 4 likes · 1 share · 6,072 followers View post →
No deal
@NoDealNever · X

@byte_p @Elke_Austenat Z.B. hier! https://t.co/eFeP42hUB2

Apr 2, 2025 · 2 likes · 432 followers View post →
george davey smith
@mendel_random · X

@igoreckert 2/2 for the RCTs that were done. These were large, some of long duration and ruled out meaningful benefit (indeed hinted at harm) eg https://t.co/cSz0Ijgbx3 https://t.co/MxY9kJmBLk and https://t.co/3SGewDSBTJ (Peto last author)

Apr 23, 2023 · 1 like · 9,309 followers View post →

All mentions

No deal
@NoDealNever · X

@byte_p @Elke_Austenat Z.B. hier! https://t.co/eFeP42hUB2

Apr 2, 2025 · 2 likes · 432 followers View post →
Filippo D'Amico
@DrFDamico · X

Dec 30, 2024 · 1 like · 1,683 followers View post →
finster
@finsterone · X

@backtolife_2023 The CARET trial is quite interesting: https://t.co/xP327wYxBu Although, from that publication they only looked at VitA/beta carotene in a high risk cohort.

Nov 3, 2023 · 48 followers View post →
george davey smith
@mendel_random · X

@igoreckert 2/2 for the RCTs that were done. These were large, some of long duration and ruled out meaningful benefit (indeed hinted at harm) eg https://t.co/cSz0Ijgbx3 https://t.co/MxY9kJmBLk and https://t.co/3SGewDSBTJ (Peto last author)

Apr 23, 2023 · 1 like · 9,309 followers View post →
Tucker Goodrich
@TuckerGoodrich · X

@mbabco We've been talking about it for a while now. In a nutshell, presenting this without mentioning that RCTs show harm is a form of fraud, IMHO. 1/3 Not the only time where it looked good observationally, and was harmful in practice. Take vitamin A... https://t.co/Unu17uN9eQ

Mar 15, 2023 · 28,292 followers View post →
Javier Haro
@harovj · X

RT @IlindelatorreMD: Los antioxidantes no han extendido la vida útil en ningún ensayo clínico. Son “peor que inútiles”. En dos ensayos co…

Feb 1, 2023 · 4 shares · 884 followers View post →
Ivonne Ernestina
@Ivonnernestina · X

RT @IlindelatorreMD: Los antioxidantes no han extendido la vida útil en ningún ensayo clínico. Son “peor que inútiles”. En dos ensayos co…

Jan 31, 2023 · 4 shares · 256 followers View post →
Gustavo Carrión
@tavocaroli · X

RT @IlindelatorreMD: Los antioxidantes no han extendido la vida útil en ningún ensayo clínico. Son “peor que inútiles”. En dos ensayos co…

Jan 31, 2023 · 4 shares · 1,064 followers View post →
Dr. Ilin Gilberto de la Torre M.
@IlindelatorreMD · X

Los antioxidantes no han extendido la vida útil en ningún ensayo clínico. Son “peor que inútiles”. En dos ensayos controlados aleatorios muy grandes, aumentaron la incidencia de cáncer, especialmente de pulmón, en fumadores. https://t.co/Hu6RhriGsM https://t.co/VY1z2hFtDi

Jan 31, 2023 · 7 likes · 4 shares · 45,821 followers View post →
André Jefremow
@anjefus · X

RT @ErnMedBlog: Nach Raucherstatus wurde hier nicht unterschieden. Schon seit den 1990er Jahren ist bekannt, dass mit der Vitamin-A-Zufuhr…

Sep 6, 2022 · 1 share · 739 followers View post →
Martin Smollich
@ErnMedBlog · X

Nach Raucherstatus wurde hier nicht unterschieden. Schon seit den 1990er Jahren ist bekannt, dass mit der Vitamin-A-Zufuhr (Nahrung oder NEM) das Risiko für Lungenkrebs (v.a. bei (Ex)Rauchern) ansteigt. https://t.co/6iJmwF0Gim https://t.co/Z5OHmgAXFO https://t.co/Hci9ovCiBA

Sep 6, 2022 · 4 likes · 1 share · 6,072 followers View post →
KOJI@プライマルコーチ
@kojija · X

【過剰ビタミンAの癌促進効果】 βカロチン30mg レチノール25,000IU /日　 抗ガン、抗心血管疾患リスク抑制の二重盲検RCT 4年目で 肺がん死亡リスク　46%⇧ 心血管疾患死亡リスク　26%⇧ まさかの逆効果で予定より21ヵ月早く試験打ち切り https://t.co/runDFjoJx1 https://t.co/thCp1IRkY5

Apr 15, 2021 · 12 likes · 1 share · 2,311 followers View post →
Avi Bitterman, MD
@AviBittMD · X

@The_Nutrivore https://t.co/a6so2nAs47

Oct 22, 2020 · 25,138 followers View post →
家具運び
@kaguhakobi · X

RT @ph_lelouch: これも有名ですかね。 基礎研究での抗酸化作用、血中ベータカロテン濃度が高い人は肺がんリスクが低い。じゃあ調べてみよう。 Effects of a Combination of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A on Lung…

May 6, 2020 · 1 share · 1,248 followers View post →
るるーしゅ
@ph_lelouch · X

これも有名ですかね。 基礎研究での抗酸化作用、血中ベータカロテン濃度が高い人は肺がんリスクが低い。じゃあ調べてみよう。 Effects of a Combination of Beta Carotene and Vitamin A on Lung Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease | NEJM https://t.co/yIZRxGDqqe

May 6, 2020 · 1 share · 7,293 followers View post →
jordi exposito
@ExpositoJordi · X

RT @Blagosklonny: Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 16, 2020 · 6 shares · 13 followers View post →
filippo masini
@filimasini · X

RT @Blagosklonny: Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 14, 2020 · 6 shares · 769 followers View post →
Atom
@atomniac · X

RT @Blagosklonny: Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 13, 2020 · 6 shares · 6,402 followers View post →
Oncologiavet
@oncologiavet · X

RT @Blagosklonny: Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 13, 2020 · 6 shares · 4,554 followers View post →
Aging-US
@AgingJrnl · X

RT @Blagosklonny: Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 13, 2020 · 6 shares · 4,374 followers View post →
Oncotarget
@Oncotarget · X

RT @Blagosklonny: Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 13, 2020 · 6 shares · 3,209 followers View post →
Mikhail V. Blagosklonny, MD PhD Professor Oncology
@Blagosklonny · X

Anti-oxidant supplements increase lung cancer incidence in smokers and former smokers. https://t.co/mHfwamdlKX

Jan 12, 2020 · 18 likes · 6 shares · 22,300 followers View post →