By sciencebase, Section News Posted on Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 11:19:28 PM PST
Corroboration of what I and many other observers have been saying for years - that antioxidants and other nutraceuticals can do you more harm than good. A scientific review shows that people who use antioxidant supplements may actually die earlier than their counterparts who don't.
The vitamin industry has long touted antioxidants as a way to improve health by filling in gaps in diet, but an overriding review of medical studies found no evidence that the nutrition supplements extend life. Worse, the review authors said that some antioxidants could actually increase your risk of an early death.
The reviewers want more regulation of the nutraceuticals industry, but an antioxidant researcher with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that call for stricter monitoring overreaches the conclusions of the review.
It makes sense, our bodies produce "oxidants" and free radicals as part of normal metabolism and in particular as part of the immune response against invading pathogens - viruses, bacteria, microbial fungi. If you mop up those agents with antioxidants then your immune system will not be able to operate anywhere near as effectively.
More on the meta review in an external press release here...
Bookmark this story with del.icio.us
Digg this story
Furl this item
Have you Reddit?