Reach for More Fruit: Discouraging News About Antioxidant Supplements

New findings in the field of women's health have proven to be very discouraging. The results of a longterm study, revealed in the Archives of Internal Medicine, (August 13-17, 2007) reveal that antioxidant supplements do not benefit women at risk for heart disease. Yet another recently released study actually links the use of antioxidant supplements to an increased risk of skin cancer.

What Are Antioxidants, and Why We Need Them:

Antioxidants help slow or prevent damage to the body's cells. This damage is otherwise known as "oxidation." Specifically, they neutralize free radicals--molecules responsible for the effects of aging, and certain diseases such as cancer. Free radicals are unstable molecules containing one or more unpaired electrons. These unstable molecules take electrons from other cells--thus destabilizing those cells--and turning them into free radicals. This process is somewhat of a "snowball effect" and can occur indefinitely. The result of this snowball effect is cellular destruction.

Free radicals are, in part, caused by our own body's process of metabolizing oxygen into energy. However, environmental factors such as pollution and ultra-violet rays also produce free radicals.

Antioxidants provide an electron for free radicals--thus stabilizing them, or converting them into bodily waste. Unlike other molecules, antioxidants do not become free radicals when they lose an electron. Not only do antioxidants stabilize free radicals--they can also aid in the repair of damaged cells.

In other words, our body needs antioxidants to neutralize free radicals--which are responsible for cellular destruction.

Recent Findings Prove Discouraging for Women:

Because diets rich in fruits and vegetables were believed to reduce rates of stroke and heart disease, it was speculated that antioxidant supplements would do the same. Of particular interest were vitamins C, E and beta carotene.