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A selling point of vitamin pills is that they contain antioxidants which may help prevent cancer and atherosclerosis. Linus Pauling, the Nobel laureate for Chemistry and for Peace, proposed that mega doses of Vitamin C could prevent the common cold and cancer. Pauling took 10 gram of Vitamin C every day, and he lived to be 93. There is no doubt that a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables reduces the risk of cancer and atherosclerosis, but can nutrient pills do the same thing? Not really, according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the subject of vitamins and cancer prevention. Beta-carotenes fare no better in other studies.

Mega supplements are not risk free. Excess of Vitamin Einterferes with clotting mechanisms and increases risk of death. Of course, some healthy people need specific supplements to prevent certain conditions.

Women in childbearing years need 400-800 microgram of folic acid supplements daily to prevent neural tube defects in offspring. The role of calcium and Vitamin D supplements in elderly and women is well established. People with malabsorption, a history of gastric bypass surgery, alcoholism, inborn errors of metabolism, and those on haemodialysis or parenteral nutrition, require daily multivitamin supplements. These pills are costly and are no substitute for fresh fruit and vegetables. Vitamins are essential for life, but they are not magic pills. Linus Pauling, after all, died of prostate cancer.

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