Antioxidant Supplements
It’s a continuing puzzle even for
scientists why people who eat lots of fruit and vegetables are less
likely to develop diseases like cancer and heart disease. Sure,
fresh fruits are generally low in fat and high in fiber, but it’s
much more than that.
Recent studies have shown that part
of the benefit from eating fresh produce everyday comes from
antioxidants. These are substances that defend our body against the
ravages brought on by free radicals. The first ever antioxidants to
catch the attention of scientists and the vitamin supplement
industry is beta-carotene or more commonly known as Vitamin A. Now,
you can find antioxidant supplements in the form of Vitamin A
capsules in almost any pharmacy or health food store.
Beta-carotene antioxidant supplements
generally come from orange, yellow, and green leafy vegetables and
fruit. It has been observed that people who eat a lot of foods rich
in beta-carotene are not generally prone to cancer. However, the
beta-carotene antioxidant supplements didn’t last that long in the
industry. It seemed that in most major trials designed to see
whether taking extra beta-carotene antioxidant supplements could
ward off cancer, beta-carotene didn’t do a good job at it. Worse,
beta-carotene antioxidant supplements and pills seemed to increase
rates of cancer for smokers in two large trials.
And so, studies began to look towards
other sources of antioxidants as possible antioxidant supplements.
Vitamins C and E were the next contenders but again, studies showed
mixed results. Although Vitamin C antioxidant supplements didn’t
look as though it could reduce the risk of cancer or heart disease,
it didn’t have any adverse effects either. In fact, Vitamin C might
even provide some protection against loss of sight associated with
cataracts in older people.
So far the most promising of all
antioxidant supplements is Vitamin E, especially when it comes to
working against heart disease. People who eat more foods rich in
Vitamin E tend to have reduced risk of heart disease.
Antioxidant supplements have been
available for years now and while they can’t substitute for a
healthy diet and lifestyle, they do play a role in reinforcing your
overall health and resilience. It is best to take antioxidant
supplements in the form of combination products. Multiple
antioxidants tend to work synergistically and far more effectively
when they are taken together than when they are taken as a single
antioxidant.
Most antioxidant supplements you find
in health stores today contain a standard ingredient base.
Antioxidant supplements generally contain vitamin C, vitamin E,
beta-carotene, and the mineral selenium. Other combinations include
other antioxidants as well but typical antioxidant supplements
include those already mentioned.
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Antioxidants
