THREE THINGS TO APPROACH WITH CAUTION . . .

Fitness trackers

IN BRITAIN, as many as 20 per cent of people use wearable technology to count their steps — but whether all these exercise trackers actually work is another issue. A study in Singapore showed that using a Fitbit does not lead to improved health or fitness. Even more troubling was another trial in which wearing a fitness tracker actually led to slower weight loss.

Vitamin supplements

ACCORDING to meta-analyses of studies, taking 400 iu or more of vitamin E a day can actually shorten your life, and so can beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements. One reason for the damaging effects of some vitamins may lie in the tricky workings of antioxidants in our bodies.

Often touted as quasi- miraculous substances that can wipe up dangerous free radicals and prevent ageing, in reality the antioxidants that we swallow as supplements have much less rosy effects on our cells.

Botox injections

FACIAL expressions can trigger or change emotions. It’s called facial feedback and studies show this process malfunctions in people who have Botox injections. Due to the paralysis of some facial muscles, such people can’t frown or smile properly, and find it difficult to mimic or identify the feelings of others.

We know from observations of people with Parkinson’s disease that those with facial rigidity have trouble keeping friends.

Meanwhile, research on chronic anger suppression suggests that not showing how mad you are by frowning or scrunching your nose can lead to cardiovascular problems.

So far there’s not enough data on Botox to suggest how large the effects on health and longevity might be, but early indications of potential issues are certainly there.