A new study claims vitamins and supplements aren't really helpful and could even be bad for you.

The joint U.S. and Finnish study tied vitamins to a higher death rate among women 55 and older.

The 19-year analysis of more than 39,000 women revealed that those who take certain kinds of supplements, including vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and multivitamins, have a slightly higher risk of death than women who don't take them.

Researchers warn that some people may be taking too many supplements or too much of the wrong ones.

"We would advise people to reconsider whether they need to use supplements, and put more emphasis on a healthy diet instead," the study's authors wrote.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, was undertaken by researchers at the University of Minnesota and the University of Eastern Finland.