KEY POINTS
Antioxidant supplementation does not protect against cancer, and may even be harmful
Data from randomized, controlled trial (RCT) results apply to specific supplements or some specific combinations. This does detract from the epidemiological data that have consistently supported the notion of benefit of diets high in antioxidants as the lowering risk of heart disease. While food contains numerous antioxidants, the vitamins with these properties include vitamin A (including preformed vitamin A or retinol) and the carotenoids (like beta carotene and vitamins C and E). Antioxidants…