Antioxidants and You
Oxygen is essential for life. It is involved in creating energy rich compounds that drive all the complex chemical reactions that sustain life. In the process, however, molecules called free radicals are produced. These free radicals, if left unchecked, cause damage to DNA and cell membranes. This damage manifests itself as diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, atherosclerosis and is, in part, responsible for aging. As might be expected, our bodies have developed sophisticated systems to combat this problem. Chemicals called antioxidants are produced which neutralized these free radicals. This whole process of free radical production is referred to as ‘oxidative stress’ and you may run into this term in popular articles discussing diseases and nutrition.
Antioxidants are also plentiful in our diet. Foods such vegetables, fruits and grain are rich in antioxidants. Vitamins C, E and Beta-carotene have strong antioxidative properties. No doubt you have also seen dietary supplements claiming to be rich in antioxidants and therefore promote better health by staving off disease and aging. Unfortunately these claims have been unsubstantiated by research. The only area where antioxidant supplementation has been shown to have benefit is when used as an adjunct for chemotherapy. In this setting the type of antioxidant and the chemotherapeutic agent used are quite specific. Of note, one study demonstrated and actual increase in the incidence of lung cancer in smokers treated with supplemental antioxidants.
The take home message here is clear. Antioxidants are important in maintaining good health. A well balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and other antioxidant rich foods is essential. With regard to supplements: too much of a good thing may not be a good thing. Keep in mind that we are a product of thousands of years of evolution. Our physiology is sophisticated and precise. Messing around with it is often ill advised. Taking megadoses of nutritional supplements should be avoided
Antioxidants are also plentiful in our diet. Foods such vegetables, fruits and grain are rich in antioxidants. Vitamins C, E and Beta-carotene have strong antioxidative properties. No doubt you have also seen dietary supplements claiming to be rich in antioxidants and therefore promote better health by staving off disease and aging. Unfortunately these claims have been unsubstantiated by research. The only area where antioxidant supplementation has been shown to have benefit is when used as an adjunct for chemotherapy. In this setting the type of antioxidant and the chemotherapeutic agent used are quite specific. Of note, one study demonstrated and actual increase in the incidence of lung cancer in smokers treated with supplemental antioxidants.
The take home message here is clear. Antioxidants are important in maintaining good health. A well balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and other antioxidant rich foods is essential. With regard to supplements: too much of a good thing may not be a good thing. Keep in mind that we are a product of thousands of years of evolution. Our physiology is sophisticated and precise. Messing around with it is often ill advised. Taking megadoses of nutritional supplements should be avoided
posted by Dr. Lou Moretti at
11:09 AM
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