Scientists reviewing 67 studies involving 230,000 participants concluded that antioxidant(抗酸化剤)vitamins do not extend life and are actually linked to a higher rate of mortality, meaning that they could lead to premature death. Vitamin proponents(擁護者)believe that these supplements help protect the body by eliminating free radicals, highly reactive molecules capable of causing damage in the brain and body tissues, but the researchers found that beta carotene and vitamins A and E are all linked to an increased risk of dying. Vitamin C appeared to have no effect on mortality whatsoever.