Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women

per (1.45; 1.20-1.75; 18.0%) were associated with increased risk of total mortality when compared with corresponding nonuse. Use of calcium was inversely related (hazardratio,0.91;95%confidenceinterval,0.88-0.94;absolute risk reduction, 3.8%). Findings for iron and calciumwerereplicatedinseparate,shorter-termanalyses(10year,6-year,and4-yearfollow-up),eachwithapproximately 15%oftheoriginalparticipantshavingdied,startingin1986, 1997, and 2004. Conclusions: In older women, several commonly used dietary vitamin and mineral supplements may be associated with increased total mortality risk; this association is strongest with supplemental iron. In contrast to the findings of many studies, calcium is associated with decreased risk.