Friedrichsdorf

FRIEDRICHSDORF, Germany, August 25, 2011 - Might antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins C and E or provitamin A (beta-carotene) be able to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases and hence prolong life?Arecentstudy indicates that vitaminsmayplay an important role in the prevention of such diseases.Inthe course ofthe study scientistsexamined 23,943 men and women for the GermanCancerResearchCentreinHeidelbergas part of a pan-Europeanprospective investigation(1).The resultsof the observational studyshowed:participants who were already regularly taking antioxidant vitamins at the start of the studywere atasignificantlylowerrisk of dying of cancer andhadlower overall mortality than participants who did not take any multivitamin products.The pros and cons oftakingsupplementary vitamins and minerals as protection against lifestyle diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease or death from any causehas long been the subject of numerous research projects andis often controversially debated.Since the prevention and development of this type of chronic disease depends on many factors, as a rule it is difficult to prove what exactly has had a preventive effect.In the end, how long we live probably depends ona combination ofdiverse lifestyle elements and genetic factors.The studyrevealedthat users of dietary supplementsappear to be generally more health conscious and live a more active lifestyle.