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Anti-Antioxidants?
Surprising new information about the long-term effects of antioxidants has recently been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Antioxidants are naturally-occuring substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, selenium, and lycopene are among the most popular antioxidants.
Free radicals are implicated in the destructive pathway that leads to age related macular degeneration. In theory, consuming supplemental antioxidants will provide added protection to the retina. Antioxidants may also play a role in preventing heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. This latest report says, "Not so fast!"
Doctors analyzed data from 68 different randomized clinical studies involving 232,000 adult volunteers. Surprisingly, adults who consumed supplemental Vitamin A, E or beta carotene actually lived shorter lives compared to groups who took a placebo - an average 5% increased death risk. Can you imagine? Health-conscious individuals who take lots of antioxidants actually die sooner?
It's too early to start condemning beta carotene and other antioxidants. Far more work needs to be done to clarify what genuine contribution or legitimate risk can be assigned to nutritional supplements. For example, nearly all of the AREDS research demonstrates that a diet rich in antioxidants can help prevent or delay the onset of macular degeneration and cataract.
There is some consensus. Nearly every expert agrees that folks choosing to consume supplemental antioxidants are wise to get them from natural sources like fresh fruit and vegetables rather than the expensive synthetic pill form. Oh, as far as I know, red wine is natural, too!
REFERENCE: JAMA 2007; 297:842-857.
Related Topics:Technorati Tags: vision, antioxidants, macular degeneration, health-and-wellness, cataract, eyesight
Antioxidants are naturally-occuring substances that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, selenium, and lycopene are among the most popular antioxidants.
Free radicals are implicated in the destructive pathway that leads to age related macular degeneration. In theory, consuming supplemental antioxidants will provide added protection to the retina. Antioxidants may also play a role in preventing heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. This latest report says, "Not so fast!"
Doctors analyzed data from 68 different randomized clinical studies involving 232,000 adult volunteers. Surprisingly, adults who consumed supplemental Vitamin A, E or beta carotene actually lived shorter lives compared to groups who took a placebo - an average 5% increased death risk. Can you imagine? Health-conscious individuals who take lots of antioxidants actually die sooner?
It's too early to start condemning beta carotene and other antioxidants. Far more work needs to be done to clarify what genuine contribution or legitimate risk can be assigned to nutritional supplements. For example, nearly all of the AREDS research demonstrates that a diet rich in antioxidants can help prevent or delay the onset of macular degeneration and cataract.
There is some consensus. Nearly every expert agrees that folks choosing to consume supplemental antioxidants are wise to get them from natural sources like fresh fruit and vegetables rather than the expensive synthetic pill form. Oh, as far as I know, red wine is natural, too!
REFERENCE: JAMA 2007; 297:842-857.
Related Topics:Technorati Tags: vision, antioxidants, macular degeneration, health-and-wellness, cataract, eyesight
Labels: antioxidants, cataract, macular degeneration
