Is it possible to get too much of a good thing? It is when it's an antioxidant, but primarily when it is in supplement form. Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables, which are enough to provide the health benefits needed to ward off disease and keep the body strong. Antioxidants prevent the buildup of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and is linked to a variety of health issues.
To enjoy the benefits of antioxidants, health professionals recommend eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, which can be challenging for even the healthiest of eaters. This is why so many people turn to antioxidant supplements to make up the difference. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that this causes more harm than good.
Have Our Efforts Backfired?
Recent research has found that high level doses of some of the most protective antioxidants could be dangerous. Men taking high doses of vitamin E supplements showed an increased risk of prostate cancer. There was also a link shown between high levels of beta carotene and cancer in smokers. The important thing to note is that these high level doses came from supplements. It would be nearly impossible to achieve the dangerous levels of antioxidants from diet alone.
Intake of antioxidants from supplements resulted in the opposite effect of what is intended. Researchers believe this is because the high doses of antioxidants completely eradicated reactive oxygen species, preventing the body from ridding itself of microbes and rogue cells. When these cells are left to their own devices, they begin to divide and develop into cancer. Antioxidants supplements "overdid" their work.
This is similar to what happens when a person excessively sanitizes his or her environment. The goal is to kill bad germs and bacteria, but too many antibacterial products also kill the good germs and bacteria. There is nothing left for protection and the immune system becomes weak.
Keeping Things in Balance
Like most things related to health, balance should be your goal. The key is to achieve a balance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in the body. This keeps the body's immune and healing systems operating at optimal levels.
The best way to ensure you keep things in balance is to get your antioxidants from natural sources. They occur in low concentrations and are accompanied by other helpful nutrients. The body is also able to absorb and use the antioxidants more efficiently when they come from natural sources. At most, a quality multi-vitamin can fill the gaps in a less-than-perfect diet.
As more is discovered about antioxidants it will become easier to determine exactly how much is the perfect amount. Until then, enjoy the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables without overdoing it from supplements.
Want to learn more about how to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight the natural way? Subscribe to Lanna's weekly vegetarian recipes at http://www.lannapotter.com Also, please like Lanna's facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lanna.potter.3
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lanna_Potter
Is it possible to get too much of a good thing? It is when it's an antioxidant, but primarily when it is in supplement form. Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables, which are enough to provide the health benefits needed to ward off disease and keep the body strong. Antioxidants prevent the buildup of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and is linked to a variety of health issues.
To enjoy the benefits of antioxidants, health professionals recommend eating five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, which can be challenging for even the healthiest of eaters. This is why so many people turn to antioxidant supplements to make up the difference. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that this causes more harm than good.
Have Our Efforts Backfired?
Recent research has found that high level doses of some of the most protective antioxidants could be dangerous. Men taking high doses of vitamin E supplements showed an increased risk of prostate cancer. There was also a link shown between high levels of beta carotene and cancer in smokers. The important thing to note is that these high level doses came from supplements. It would be nearly impossible to achieve the dangerous levels of antioxidants from diet alone.
Intake of antioxidants from supplements resulted in the opposite effect of what is intended. Researchers believe this is because the high doses of antioxidants completely eradicated reactive oxygen species, preventing the body from ridding itself of microbes and rogue cells. When these cells are left to their own devices, they begin to divide and develop into cancer. Antioxidants supplements "overdid" their work.
This is similar to what happens when a person excessively sanitizes his or her environment. The goal is to kill bad germs and bacteria, but too many antibacterial products also kill the good germs and bacteria. There is nothing left for protection and the immune system becomes weak.
Keeping Things in Balance
Like most things related to health, balance should be your goal. The key is to achieve a balance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in the body. This keeps the body's immune and healing systems operating at optimal levels.
The best way to ensure you keep things in balance is to get your antioxidants from natural sources. They occur in low concentrations and are accompanied by other helpful nutrients. The body is also able to absorb and use the antioxidants more efficiently when they come from natural sources. At most, a quality multi-vitamin can fill the gaps in a less-than-perfect diet.
As more is discovered about antioxidants it will become easier to determine exactly how much is the perfect amount. Until then, enjoy the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables without overdoing it from supplements.
Want to learn more about how to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight the natural way? Subscribe to Lanna's weekly vegetarian recipes at http://www.lannapotter.com Also, please like Lanna's facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lanna.potter.3
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