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A vitamin is, basically, a required trace nutrient that cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities required by the body and so must be supplemented from the diet (but not including every category of essential nutrients, such as essential amino or fatty acids, etc). Some have postulated that consuming more vitamins than the minimum amount required to sustain life might have life extension benefits.
If a person is malnourished and has certain diseases that result in malabsorption or overutilization, taking vitamins will, of course, be of real benefit. If a person eats a healthy and varied diet and has no such diseases or special demands, swallowing a multivitamin pill daily just to be safe is unnecessary. In fact, overdosing on some vitamins (for instance, vitamins A, D, and E) can cause serious health problems and increased mortality.
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But what about the intentional overdosing of "safer" vitamins (like vitamin C) with the goal of achieving extra benefits beyond those necessary to sustain life?
There is no credible evidence that such a practice confers any benefit in extending life span, interfering with the aging process, or preventing or curing disease. Yes, you will hear otherwise almost every single day. But most such studies are sketchy to say the least and quickly refuted.
Vitamins may be necessary chemicals but they are still chemicals. The human body was not designed to handle ridiculously high doses and will not last any longer by being bombarded or pickled.
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