People who take vitamin and antioxidant supplements in the hope they’re reducing their risk of gastrointestinal cancer are more likely to die of the disease than those who don’t take the supplements, a new study finds.The research, which reviewed the results of 14 major trials with more than 170,000 participants, found a small but statistically significant increase in gastrointestinal cancer deaths associated with supplements containing beta carotene and vitamins A, C and E. Four of the trials showed a possible reduction of risk associated with selenium supplements, the report said.In half the trials, there was a 6 percent increased risk of death from cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon and rectum in persons who took supplements, compared to those who took a placebo, the researchers found.But certain combinations of supplements seemed to be more dangerous, the researchers said.A 30 percent higher risk was found for combination supplements containing beta carotene and vitamin A, and a 10 percent risk for supplements combining beta carotene and vitamin E.
