Health briefs. More siblings, less divorce

The more brothers and sisters you have, the less likely you are to get divorced, a new study contends. Each sibling a person has -- up to seven -- reduces the likelihood of divorce by 2 percent. The findings come from an analysis of data collected from about 57,000 people in the United States between 1972 and 2012. Although having more than seven siblings provided no additional protection, it didn't hurt, either, according to the study from Ohio State University.

Even though millions of Americans pop a vitamin, mineral or multivitamin supplement every day, a government-appointed panel of experts says the jury is out on whether they boost health. In its draft guidelines, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said certain supplements, such as beta carotene or vitamin E, may do more harm than good. It recommends that people eat a well-balanced diet instead of supplements. "In general, the task force found that there is not enough evidence to determine whether you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer by taking single or paired nutrients, or a multivitamin," said Dr. Michael LeFevre, task force chairman.