Women who took the dietary supplements vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and multivitamins had a higher risk of death than women who did not.

　　The new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, examined more than 38,000 women aged 55 and older who took part in the Iowa Women's Health Study, which started in the mid 1980s.

　　Researchers found the vitamins did nothing to reduce the risk of death and that most supplements have no positive effect on women's health.

　　The study did not distinguish if the women in the study took the vitamins to fight diseases or to maintain health.

　　Vitamin experts say the best way to make sure you are getting all necessary vitamins is to eat a well-balanced diet. The vitamins people take do not  depend on personal preference.