Although a healthy diet provides sufficient vitamins and minerals, many individuals take vitamin and mineral supplements hoping to further improve their health and prevent disease. A large, 19 year observational study of postmenopausal women has found that taking common vitamin supplements may actually shorten life instead. After controlling for confounders, absolute risk increased from 2.4% for multivitamins to 18% for copper.
PositiveTip: Supplements do not add to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, and may have unwanted consequences.