Association Between Beta-Carotene Supplementation and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Study answer

What this study found

Beta-carotene supplementation did not reduce overall mortality or most cause-specific mortality outcomes. Total mortality was unchanged overall (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.05), as were cancer mortality (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90-1.07), cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.98-1.11), and cerebrovascular mortality (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.06). Lung cancer mortality was significantly increased (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27), while HIV-related mortality was reduced in a limited subset of studies (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92). Overall, the findings do not support a mortality benefit from beta-carotene and…

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in 216,734 adults from diverse settings, including general populations and patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, smokers, and institutionalized elderly.

Intervention

Oral beta-carotene supplementation was tested across 31 randomized trials, with doses ranging from 3 mg/d to 75 mg/d, including schedules such as 20 mg/d, 50 mg/d, 55 mg every other day, and 50 mg on alternate days.

Key limitation

Substantial clinical heterogeneity existed across trials in population, baseline risk, dose, co-supplementation, and follow-up duration.

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Original abstract