Beta carotene supplements may carry cancer risk Vitamin might increase chance of lung tumors in smokers, experts warn

From: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Date: January 19, 1996 | Copyright information

Beta carotene supplements do not protect Americans against cancer or heart disease, and might actually increase smokers' risk of deadly lung tumors, the government declared Thursday.

National Cancer Institute researchers shut down a vitamin study of 18,000 smokers last week, almost two years early, because too many of those being given high doses of beta carotene were dying.

There were 28% more lung cancers and 17% more deaths among beta carotene takers than smokers who took ...

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