Millions of Americans — up to half of all adults, according to some estimates — take vitamin supplements in the belief they help prevent chronic diseases, such as cancer.

But a new, unpublished study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, part of Harvard Medical School, suggests that taking vitamins E and C produces effects no more beneficial than those produced by placebos.

Drs. Howard D. Sesso and J. Michael Gaziano tracked the health of 14,500 participating male physicians 50 years and older, beginning in 1997.

"After nearly 10 years of supplementation with either vitamin E or vitamin C, we found no evidence supporting the use of either supplement in the prevention of cancer," the doctors said.

On the flip side, they noted, the supplements also appeared to cause no harm.

Previous studies had suggested people eating a diet rich in vitamins E and C had a lower risk of cancer. That may be true, said Gaziano, and a key to the benefit.

"Individual vitamin supplements such as vitamin E and C do not appear to provide the same potential advantages as vitamins included as part of a healthy, balanced diet."

In other words, vitamins are more effective in their natural form — food.

GET ME THAT. STAT!

Mental health is a huge factor in crime, says Edwin R. Shirley of the mood disorders program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. In a new study, Shirley and colleagues found that inmates who have bipolar disorder, who have been physically abused and are dependent on drugs spend 700 percent more time in jail and have a 1,400 percent increase in the number of times they're incarcerated than non-mentally ill inmates.

NUMBER CRUNCHER

A single-serving box of animal crackers (67 grams) contains 299 calories, 81 from fat. That's 14 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains 11 milligrams of cholesterol (4 percent); 273 mg of sodium (11 percent); 50 grams of total carbohydrates (17 percent) and 4.1 g of protein.

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Iophobia — fear of poison

BEST MEDICINE

A man asked his doctor about his chances to live to be 100 years old.

"Do you smoke or drink?" asked the doctor.

"No," the man said.

"Do you gamble, drive fast cars, engage in unsafe practices?"

"Never," the man said.

"Is this because of your religious beliefs?"

"I don't believe in anything," the man replied.

"Well then," said the doctor, "why would you want to live to be 100?"

STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM

A British woman has become the first known person to be born unable to recognize voices, a condition dubbed "phonagnosia." She is unable to associate a voice with any particular person, whether celebrity or family member.

DOC TALK

Agnostication — the attempt (usually vain) to answer tough questions, such as "How long have I got, doc?"

EPITAPHS

FRANK ROW, GRAVESTONE CUTTER

Here lies the body of poor Frank Row,

Parish Clerk & Gravestone Cutter,

And this is writ to let you know,

What Frank for others used to do,

Is now done for Frank by another.

— On a tombstone in Selby, England, dated 1706

OBSERVATION

He who sings frightens away his ills.

— Spanish poet and novelist Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)

To find out more about Scott Lafee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.