A recent study has suggested that some daily vitamin and mineral supplement use by older women may increase their risk of premature death, in comparison with those who do not take daily supplements, according to recent news sources. The study also found that older women who take calcium pills may be at a decreased risk for premature death.
The study was published in Archives of Internal Medicine. The participants included 38,772 women from Iowa with an average age of 92 and followed them for 19 years. It was discovered that those who took supplements with copper, folic acid, iron, vitamin B6, magnesium or zinc were more likely to die than those who had not. The mortality risk was highest with iron supplements.
While the study did adjust for things like smoking, health, diet, and age, it was an observational study and not a clinical trial so the results are not entirely conclusive.
As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, studies about medical safety are of great concern to me. In my experience as a product liability lawyer, I’ve seen how drugs meant to help treat people can actually harm them. If you or someone you care about has been injured by a drug, I advise you to seek legal counsel in order to discuss your potential personal injury case.