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2007-8-30 14:00:06 |
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AICR Ever Green, Ever Healthy August 2007 Topic: Lifestyle Powders, pills, liquids and chews: These days, nutritional supplements come in all forms. Don’t like fruit? Pop a vitamin C tablet. Not a fan of spinach? Sprinkle lutein powder on your toast. Is it possible to get all the nutrition you need from supplements? What is the difference between getting nutrients from supplements versus getting them directly from a food source? People can get antioxidants from pills (supplements) or from food sources. Many of us have heard of antioxidants and know they are beneficial to our health, but we don’t have a clue as to what they are. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) defines antioxidants as any vitamin, phytochemical or mineral that helps neutralize the oxidative damage done to the body’s cells. They are important because they reduce the cell damage that could lead to cancer. Eating foods high in antioxidants is associated with protection against some cancers as well as other diseases. In light of this information, it would seem logical that taking antioxidants in pill form would produce the same health protecting results. Not so, according to one study. Last February, The Journal of American Medical Association published a study regarding the effect of antioxidant supplements on the human body. The study found that vitamin C and selenium (two types of antioxidants) supplements do not promote longevity. Even more surprisingly, it also found that taking supplements of vitamin A, E and beta-carotene correlated with a small but significant increase in risk of death. Another health risk antioxidant supplements pose comes from overdose. When taken in doses that are too large, vitamin E supplements may cause internal bleeding in people who are already taking blood thinning medication. Too much vitamin C can increase kidney stones and upset the stomach. Too much beta-carotene can also hinder the potency of other nutrients in your diet, as reported in a Finnish study. If antioxidants are supposed to protect your body from disease, the source of those antioxidants may seem irrelevant. As these studies show, antioxidant supplements do not provide the same benefits as eating foods high in antioxidants. You can avoid any of the risks potentially posed by using supplements by eating a wide variety of plant-based foods. By doing so, your body will be getting sufficient levels of antioxidants from a safe and natural source. If you would like more information about antioxidants, call toll-free 1-800-843-8114, ext. 111, 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. ET, Monday- Friday, to request a free copy of A Closer Look at Antioxidants. |
