The Antioxidant Myth

It turns out that antioxidant vitamin supplements don't help us live longer. They don't appear to prevent disease or improve our health. In fact, they may just be expensive sugar pills.

That was the news yesterday, which was published in Journal of the American Medical Association. Their report evaluated an extensive number of studies involving hundreds of thousands of people. The research was compiled at the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group at Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark.

Even though we've known for some time now that these supplements may not be all that they're cracked up to be, I still thought their conclusion was stunning: These supplements do not prolong our lives. Worse, the data actually showed a higher risk of death for people who regularly took supplements. (Many experts dismissed that risk as a coincidence.)

The studies analyzed several popular supplements, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as beta-carotene and selenium.

Naturally, the report stirred up disagreements amongst health experts. Some said that the analysis proved that supplements are useless, while others said they weren't convinced by the data. Still others believe that antioxidants are helpful, but they're only effective when they come from food. Here's a good list of antioxidant-rich foods.

Given that I've got a giant bottle of vitamin E and an even bigger bottle of vitamin C in my medicine cabinet right now, I'm sort of annoyed to hear this news.

After all, I've probably spent few hundred dollars on all these supplements over the years. And like everyone else, I popped them because of their claims to help stave off everything from the common cold to cancer.

You'd think by now, I would have figured out that there really aren't any shortcuts when it comes eating a balanced, healthful diet. So why does it seem that I keep having to learn that lesson over an over again?

Wait a minute...

by jjackson on March 1, 2007 - 8:07am

A higher risk of death?

Aren't we all hovering right around 100%?

99.9999...%

by DrSlice on March 1, 2007 - 9:27am

There can be only one!

Maybe that should read

by savasthi on March 1, 2007 - 11:02am

a "risk of dying sooner."

Otherwise, the latest studies do indicate that the average human has a 99.99999% risk of death.

Lots of Questions.

by castlenottingham on March 1, 2007 - 1:29pm

These finding seem rather glib as is most reporting in the mainstream media. I would like to know: 1. Who funded the studies? 2. Who manufactured the supplements? 3. How were they adminstered? 4. What diet regimens were the subjects following? 5. Were these the only supplements being taken - (for example vitamin E works better with vitamin C)? I think taking the soundbites on the evening news as sound advice on the use of these supplements is a mistake. Now everyone will think that antioxidants do no one any good when this is far from the truth. It's just like the story about tea tree oil and lavender oil giving boys breasts when in fact this was extremely rare and completely reversable condition, but everyone always remembers the boys-getting-boobs-from-shampoo.

Fruits and vegetables-the greatest source of antioxidents

by neilg61 on March 1, 2007 - 7:03pm

Knowing that the best source of antioxidants comes from food and the best source of food being fruits and vegetables, I have found an incredible product that enables me to get such a large amount and wide variety of fruits and vegetables in my diet every day with ease. It is called Juice Plus which is simply the nutritional essence of 17 different fruits and vegetables in a convenient capsule form! What a great idea. It is also the most scientifically researched nutritional product that shows that the nutrition is absorbed into your body and raises your antioxident levels sky high. And that does prolong your life. If you want more info, talk to me or check out www.jpisfood.com

eating away

by Vicki_R on March 1, 2007 - 4:46pm

I just purchased these tick tack like chocolates from www.sweetriot.com. They are 70% cocao and they taste wonderful. The product is organic and the company a fair trade one. The entire box is only 140 calories. I think I would rather eat my antioxidants and what better way than with chocolate.

thanks for the link

by trinity8 on March 1, 2007 - 6:39pm

Hi Vicky - just to say thanks for the 'chocolate' link, I will try it and I may even add the link to my website.

viola www.dare2baware.com www.shamanicjourney.com www.home-schooling-uk.com www.fun-tavels.com

Fruits and vegetables - the greatest source of antioxidants

by JolineStone on March 1, 2007 - 4:50pm

... except that it is near impossible to eat on a daily basis the equivalence of what's in one ounce or 2 tbs of Young Living's Ningxia Red!
4 pounds of carrots
2 quarts of carrot juice
8 oranges
1 pint of orange juice
2 pounds of beets
2 cups of beet juice
3 cups of raspberries
2 cups of blueberries
18 amino acids
21 trace minerals
6 essential fatty acids
Vitamins: B1, B2, B6 & Vitamin E
More Betacarotene than carrots & more Vitamin C than orangesTo read more go to my website: http://www.youngliving.com/JOLINE

Eating well vs. Supplements

by Magistra40 on March 1, 2007 - 5:25pm

I think that it's a message we all need to hear over and over again: There is no magic bullet. There is no "happy pill".

Sometimes, I wish there were a supplement to counteract the effects of living in a way that isn't 'mindful'. The "Anti Big Mac Meal" capsule, the "Haven't had a fresh vegetable in over 72 hours" pill and other "pop something and it will all be ok" pill/capsule industry would, no doubt, and does make a great deal of money.

So, as I trudge back into my kitchen to slice a pear onto my salad, make sure that I eat tomato sauce sometime this week (lycopiene, dontcha know) and try to limit the foods that are just not helping, I will continue on my mostly supplement free lifestyle.

I hope that a Naturopathic Physician is reading this; mine does, when warranted, recommend very specific supplements but it follows a careful diagnosis during an office visit. Moreover, the antibiotic effects of Vitamin C are not to be dismissed, but I will wager that they weren't studied. Pharmaceutical companies don't want people to know about Vitamin C as an antibiotic because it's inexpensive, widely available and there is *no* R&D money in it at all.

Back to the blueberries we go - I can't locate the Amazonian fruit.

Cheers,

Magistra

by Skydancer on March 1, 2007 - 5:57pm

If I could rule the world, I would require scientists to use a Wellness Index. How about the concept of being healthy while alive and dead later? Andrew Weil describes the concept beautifully.

My favorite clinical study is at protandim.com and it says a lot about antioxidants improving super oxide dismutase and catalyse (liver produced) and detoxing the "bad" stuff.

going crazy

by Vicki_R on March 1, 2007 - 8:40pm

That is a great quote and one we I should keep in mind. Your idea about a wellness index is a pretty good one. I have read so many different views and studies of differing information that I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. On one hand this does that, but too much of this can cause this. If you are over 65 this may happen, but if you are under 65 don't take that. What do we have to do to just live a healthy life. I am beginning to question all of my choices for fear that everything I am doing may be disputed.

p.s. The cocao is really good. I just had some today.

Supplements Work

by Susan_Calvert on March 2, 2007 - 9:43am

I am in disagreement with this article regarding supplements being of no help to prevent disease or improve health.

Approximately 5 years ago, I was extremely ill, BEDRIDDEN from MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity), candida, chronic fatigue, and asthma. Through lifestyle changes including organic food, supplements, etc., I am alive today.

I went for several years to traditional doctors and they prescribed me antibiotics, up to 10 prescriptions per year for 20 YEARS! (10 x 2 weeks = almost 1/2 year for 20 years on drugs) This worsened my condition to the point I could no longer function.

Fortunately, I located doctors specializing in Environmental Medicine, www.AAEM.com. The doctors in Chicago (where I lived during my initial diagnosis) and here in Atlanta ran several tests from hair analysis to amino acid production.

I had heavy metal poisoning (arsenic). We believe it was from using weed killers (like Round Up and Weed B Gone) in my gardening business and candida fungus from all those antibiotics.

The doctors were able to get data for the specific nutrients my body was lacking from my compromised immune system. My body was overloaded with toxins. I had developed several food allergies. Through supplementation, diet and lifestyle changes, I am feeling much better.

I spend approximately $200 to $300 per MONTH on high quality supplements (pure and without fillers). My doctor indicates I will be on them for quite some time. At times, I don't take them to gauge where I am at in my healing process. I get about a week's time and then have zero energy. I start taking naps again. I start taking my supplements and am back in action!

My allergies are going away. I can eat beans and peas without the crackling and swelling in my eustation (sp?) tubes in my ears. The migraines are not as bad unless there is a fragrance in the air. I still have sensitivities to fragranced products.

My thoughts are the pharmaceutical companies are behind the effort to degrade the supplementation companies as it takes money out of their pockets by keeping people sick with drugs. I'm not against drugs. They have their place. I believe they are over used and people including myself are uneducated in natural methods of healing.

I am living proof supplementation works!

Susan Calvert

Website: www.SusanCalvert.com

Blog: www.SusanCalvert.blogspot.com

Stores: www.SusanCalvert.etsy.com and www.cafepress.com/SusanCalvert

janene winkhart

by winkhart2 on March 3, 2007 - 9:00am

you cannot get a balanced diet from food, not in these days....with sprays, etc, gen, englineered seeds. You have to be careful when you plant your own garden

I happen to know from experience that many vitamins do mnay things thay are said to do, with no profit to pharma, companys.We need drugs for certain things and yetmany natural vitamins cure same things

we need preventive med. but it isnt profitable. In the long run it would be to everyone,,we have to take responsibility for what wwe put in our bodies and try to use preventive measures ourselves and our cost is much cheaper, I promise that

A good nutritionalist can get you checked and you would be amazed at what your body is short in. Good Luck

They can't hurt!

by Vicki_R on March 23, 2007 - 12:00pm

It's all about education and your own body. Recently, I was told that I should take a multi-vitamin. I said I heard they don't really work. The reply-they can't hurt!!

Prescription for vitamins...

by ilbacio214 on April 24, 2007 - 11:06pm

For those of you who prefer to purchase supplements without a prescription from a licensed medical doctor, you might want to take a moment to click on the link. This is real and it's in the works right now.

Rima E. Laibow, MD:

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185

I tried the tick tack that

by yimada on April 30, 2008 - 8:00am

I tried the tick tack that Viky talks about, too. Yes, indeed, wonderful taste! The problem is that I made a sort of allergy to something that the little candies contain. So, you should first check out what does them contain and if they work for you indeed.

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