Long-term antioxidant supplementation has no effect on health-related quality of life: the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, primary prevention SU.VI.MAX trial.

Study answer

What this study found

Long-term antioxidant supplementation did not improve health-related quality of life. Across SF-36, GHQ-12, and global health ratings, most between-group comparisons were not significant; the trial's main conclusion was that nutritional-dose antioxidant vitamins and minerals did not provide a meaningful HRQoL benefit. A sex-specific difference was noted for vitality in women (Group p=0.014), but this did not translate into an overall quality-of-life improvement. The intervention also showed no clear benefit on the mental or physical component summary scores.

Study & population

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled primary prevention trial in healthy French adults.

Intervention

Participants in the active arm received one daily capsule containing vitamin C 120 mg, vitamin E 30 mg, beta-carotene 6 mg, selenium 100 mg as selenium-enriched yeast, and zinc 20 mg as gluconate.

Key limitation

Interpretation is limited by substantial attrition and missing final questionnaires, with analysis restricted to participants who completed both HRQoL assessments.

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Original abstract