While we sometimes hear warnings about various supplements, either that they may not be safe, or that they are less effective than some people claim, most of us probably take for granted that our multivitamins are safe. According to a new study, that may not necessarily be the case.

The study, published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, looked at data from 39,000 women and studied the link between dietary supplements (including standard multivitamins) and risk of death. The results were surprising: all the supplements included in the study except for calcium increased the risk of death by a significant amount. The one most likely to increase the risk of death appears to be iron, and the more iron taken, the greater the risk.

The women in the study had an average age of 62 years, and it is not known if advanced age may also play a role in the correlation.

An important fact to note is this: the current study only found a correlation between supplement use and greater risk of death. It did not find that supplements caused death. Any number of concurrent variables could account for these findings, including the possibility that those who feel the need to take supplements may not eat a healthy diet, or otherwise take proper care of their bodies.

Source: http://www.grannymed.com/news/health-study/supplements-linked-to-greater-risk-of-death