No. However, the press does like to sensationalize issues whenever possible, and a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has many thinking antioxidants cause harm.
The type of study is called a meta-analysis, where the authors look at and select previously done human trials that have been completed and are relevant to the issue at hand. In other words, the author’s choose which studies to include, based on criteria that they set, and then pool the data and report it.
One of the major criticisms of this study is that the dosages used in the individual trials had very large ranges. Thus one study might use a tiny dose of vitamin A, and another would use a mega-dose, and yet these two studies would be lumped together. It would be like doing one study with 1/4 a baby aspirin, another study with two extra strength aspirin, lumping the results together, and then drawing conclusions.
The conclusions would have no relevance to any dosage of aspirin.
But that is besides the point. I do not advocate that my patients take large dosages of antioxidants as general protection against chronic diseases. There is plenty of evidence that a Mediterranean style diet, rich in colored vegetables and good oils, has major health benefits. This does not extend to the consumption of anti-oxidants in supplement form, as fruits and vegetables have many plant chemicals that are far more complex than simple antioxidants.
There is also plenty of evidence that exercise and physical fitness prevent disease. No surprise there.
This is why I don’t broadly recommend antioxidants - exercise in fact is a mild, pro-oxidant, and its benefits are likely to partly come from consuming excess antioxidants in our body. Oxidation is the process by which our cells generate energy, and the process by which our immune system kills invaders, and the process by which pre-cancerous cells commit cell-suicide (apoptosis).
In fact, many therapies such as high dose IV vitamin C (different physiologically from oral vitamin C), hyperthermia, and ozone therapy are useful in many diseases. Such therapies, as well as exercise, “train” the cells to be able to better respond to day-to-day stresses. Flooding the body with antioxidants prevents this training.
People who take antioxidants are looking for ways to prevent disease and improve over-all health. By far, exercise and activity are the most important. Eating a healthy diet, that is correct for your metabolism (some patients tolerate carbohydrates poorly, others may have allergies) is important also.
As for nutrients that can fulfill the purpose of these other vitamin antioxidants?
1) selenium: consistently shown to reduce the incidence of certain solid cancers
2) vitamin D3: see www.vitamindcouncil.org for more information on this important nutrient. Extremely important for reduction of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, MS, and for keeping the immune system in balance
3) matcha green tea: most green tea is fine, but matcha has more caffeine for those who are used to coffee. Further, it has plenty of L-theanine, to keep the level of stress and anxiety down. Also the highest source of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) of the various green teas, which has impressed me with its effects on detoxification, tooth cavity prevention, and cancer prevention
Posted in Anti-aging, Energy, Nutrients | Tagged Anti-aging, antioxidants, green tea, naturopathic medicine | No Comments »

