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Our Pharmanex Monopoly: The
AntiOxidant Scanner!
 ANTIOXIDANT BASICS
IT'S YOUR
HEALTH!
Antioxidants Protect Cells From
Diseases
Sunday, May 19, 2002
By Dr. J.B. Pratt,
SNS Contributing Writer
Our health is greatly protected
and our life may even be extended by a constant flow of antioxidants
to our cells.
Antioxidants include a large group of chemicals
that act to fight and directly oppose oxygen charged molecules that
are out to damage our cells. They work as a major police force of
the body, and they are thought to divert most of the major diseases
for which we are at risk.
The antioxidants have been
suspected of involvement in heart disease, cancer, cataracts, and
the aging process itself. Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene are
the most well known of the antioxidants.
We have had constant
ongoing research on these vitamins over the last decade, and now we
know more about them and their actions than ever before.
One
of the most exciting areas of research into antioxidants has been
done in the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies. In this study 3,640
people who already had macular degeneration took 500 mg of vitamin
C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 25,000 IU beta carotene, 80 mg zinc and 2 mg
copper. Subjects took all these, or a placebo every day for six
years.
The results from this study showed that the risk of
advanced macular degeneration was cut by 25 percent in those who
took the antioxidants plus zinc and copper. It is felt the study
clearly provided strong evidence that antioxidants slow the
progression in people who have the disease.
This study
prompted The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) in
Washington, DC to make the recommendation that if you have advanced
macular degeneration, you should take these antioxidants in the
amounts given in the study and include zinc and copper, either as
part of your daily multivitamin or in a separate
supplement.
Other recent studies have prompted similar
recommendations by CSPI. More recommendations for supplemental
antioxidants were given to possibly reduce the risk of prostate
cancer. It was recommended that middle-aged and older men should
consider taking 200 mcg of selenium and 400 IU of vitamin E per day,
either as part of their daily multivitamin or in a separate
supplement.
Data from the 1970s suggested that dietary and
supplemental vitamin E intake might be effective in decreasing
mortality from cardiovascular diseases.
The big issue in more
recent studies is should dietary and supplemental vitamin E be used
for prevention of cardiovascular disease.
CSPI noted that to
prevent heart disease, stroke, and cancer as well, taking vitamin E
or vitamin C probably won't hurt. But until ongoing studies are
complete, there is not a way to be certain they will
help.
The report from CSPI also includes comments for those
who want to slow aging, curb muscle pain, and erase wrinkles. CSPI
cautions us that no one has done research on these aspects or other
potential benefits of antioxidant vitamins (C, E and beta-carotene)
or other antioxidants such as lycopene or grape seed
extract.
However, in the future current ongoing research
results will clarify antioxidant benefits for these common
concerns.
CSPI also recommended that everyone should take an
ordinary multi-vitamin and mineral to assure getting enough of folic
acid, vitamins B-12, D, and K, and other nutrients that are hard to
get in a normal diet.
A deficiency of antioxidants can leave
you very vulnerable, particularly if you are frequently exposed to
toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke, industrial chemicals, or air
pollutants.
We can also increase our intake of antioxidants
from food sources by eating more fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants
are found in all plant foods, especially those that are brightly
colored, with those that are deep green, bright yellow, orange, or
red, being outstanding sources.
Foods like tomatoes, oranges,
broccoli, strawberries, carrots, greens, and other plant foods are
also excellent choices.
Remember to include a combination of
at least five fruits and vegetables in your diet each day to
increase the benefits of antioxidants in your diet.
[Read Original
Article]
For a thorough explanation of the terms "antioxidant" &
"carotenoid," and their roles in disease prevention, see the
following links:
The Official Word has just been delivered
by the American Medical Assoc., HERE
("JAMA Article Recommends Supplements For All Adults," June
19, 2002)
Can supplements really PREVENT disease? Click HERE
for the definitive answer.
Click HERE
to understand the Antioxidant Basics.
And go HERE to learn
more about the importance of supplement quality.
For a Nutrition 101 class (on basic eating habits - what
to eat), go HERE.
Read the basics HERE
from Nutrition Science News: "Cancer Prevention Diet"
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