Anti Oxidant

A: Antioxidants are substances that protect your body from the effects of unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radicals develop when atoms in your body gain or lose charged particles called electrons. Antioxidants are found naturally in many fruits and vegetables and other foods, and can also be taken as supplements. They're in some skin-care products, too.

A: Antioxidants are thought to help stop the health issues caused by free radicals. Research continues to increase our understanding of the effects of antioxidants against illness. Antioxidant supplements aren't recommended to stop disease.

A: Antioxidants are found in a variety of foods. For example:
· Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, tomatoes and green vegetables.
· Vitamin E is found in plant oils, cereals, meat, eggs and fruits.
· Lycopene is primarily found in tomatoes and orange or red coloured fruits and vegetables.
· Omega-3 can mostly be found in seafood.
· Flavonoids are found in green tea, fruits, cocoa (chocolate), soybeans and vegetables.
· Selenium is found in nuts, vegetables, seafood and meat.
· Lutein and zeaxanthin are mostly found in green vegetables.

A: You should aim to get all your nutrients, including antioxidants, from healthy foods rather than from supplements. People who eat a healthy diet generally get all their nutrients from their food. Research suggests that antioxidants taken as supplements are less effective at combating heart disease and some cancers. Supplements don't make people healthier.

A: Because antioxidants have the power to protect you from free radicals, they may be able to lower your odds of some diseases. But the connection isn't always clear, especially when it comes to supplements. Still, a diet high in fruits and vegetables is healthy for many other reasons. Foods with antioxidants are typically:
· High in fiber
· Low in saturated fat and cholesterol
· Full of vitamins and minerals

A: Antioxidants came to public attention in the 1990s, when scientists began to understand that free radical damage was involved in the early stages of artery-clogging atherosclerosis. It was also linked to cancer, vision loss, and a host of other chronic conditions. Some studies showed that people with low intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables were at greater risk for developing these chronic conditions than were people who ate plenty of those foods. Clinical trials began testing the impact of single substances in supplement form, especially beta-carotene and vitamin E, as weapons against chronic diseases.

A: Many chemical reactions take place inside the cells in your body. Sometimes, these form by-products known as free radicals. Free radicals have important roles in your body. Some are used by your body's immune system to attack viruses or bacteria. However, if free radicals build up in your body, they can cause 'oxidative stress'. This can damage your cells and impact your health.

A: Antioxidants could prevent some of the damage free radicals cause that can lead to cancer. But there's no scientific evidence that antioxidant supplements work to prevent cancer. We need more research to determine whether antioxidants from foods can help to reduce your cancer risk.

A: Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is the most common cause of permanent vision loss in adults over age 50. It happens when the macula, which is deep in the back of your eye, begins to wear away. In time, it can lead to loss of your central vision field. Vitamins C and E can lower the chance of cataracts. These are protein buildups that cloud the lens at the front of the eye, ultimately causing blurry vision. Antioxidants may also slow the progression of cataracts, letting people maintain better vision longer.

A: There's a lot of debate about whether antioxidants help lower people's chances of heart disease. On one hand, research has shown that people who eat more fruits and vegetables have lower risks of heart disease and stroke. Early research has shown that antioxidants may be responsible for this benefit. On the other hand, follow-up studies of antioxidant supplements have failed to show the same benefits. Some scientists believe that this has to do with the higher levels of antioxidants in supplements.

A: Supplements might seem like an easy way to get antioxidants. But no supplement can match the health effects of a varied, healthy diet that includes plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables.
· The FDA doesn't regulate dietary supplements. So you can't be sure whether a supplement is effective, safe, or actually contains what it claims to.
· Antioxidant supplements haven't been shown to protect against or treat disease, other than specific formulas made for people with macular degeneration.
· Supplements may not be balanced. For example, eight different forms of vitamin E are found in foods. But supplements usually contain just one form of the vitamin.
· Antioxidants in high doses could be harmful.

A: Our bodies make some of the antioxidants we need. Additional antioxidants come from foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Some antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are also available as dietary supplements.

A: In general, experts recommend getting nutrients by eating whole foods rather than by taking supplements, if possible. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides plenty of antioxidants and is safe for most people. This type of diet has also been consistently linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, certain eye diseases, and cancer.
Plus, when it comes to supplements, the science is murky. Some studies have shown that getting antioxidants in supplement form doesn't change the risk for some health conditions, like cancer and heart disease. Similarly, consuming antioxidants through fortified foods rather than through natural food sources — like fruits and vegetables — is less desirable because these foods may not be as healthy. For example, vitamins and minerals are often added to sweetened dairy products and cereal.

A: The current evidence does not support the idea that antioxidant supplements can prevent cancer. In fact, high doses of one antioxidant, beta-carotene, may increase the risk of lung cancer.

A: The current evidence does not support the idea that antioxidant supplements can prevent cardiovascular disease. In fact, high doses of one antioxidant, beta-carotene, may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

A: Antioxidant supplements haven't been shown to prevent AMD in people who don't already have this disease, but certain supplements containing a combination of antioxidants and zinc have been shown to slow the progression of AMD.

A: High doses of some vitamins and minerals can be dangerous. For example, consuming excessive amounts of vitamin A can lead to headaches and blurred vision. In people who smoke, beta-carotene supplements appear to increase rates of lung cancer.
Possible theories behind these negative effects include:
· In high amounts, antioxidant supplements may interfere with the absorption of other nutrients that have protective effects.
· Taking too many antioxidants may block the production of reactive oxygen molecules that are needed for important processes, like immune function.

A: It's a little misleading to call a substance an "antioxidant." Antioxidants are more accurately categorized by their chemical properties — or their ability to fight free radicals. In one instance, a substance may have that ability but, in another, it may not. There are likely hundreds or thousands of substances that act as antioxidants. Vitamins, minerals, and pigments can all be antioxidants. But some are more well known and better researched than others.