| The effectiveness of nutritional supplements in | | | | selenium enzymes guard the energy producing |
| preventing certain diseases and disorders from | | | | part of the cells. |
| developing is still being researched today, so any | | | | 3. Diseases and free radicals |
| claims or miracle statements that guarantee the | | | | A combination of antioxidant vitamins is important |
| prevention of certain diseases is generally | | | | (taken in the right amount and dosage per day) |
| considered fraudulent. Certain vitamins, however, | | | | because free radicals are known to be connected |
| do contain antioxidants that protect the body | | | | to an array of diseases such as cancer, heart |
| from free radical damage, making them potent | | | | disease, arthritis, cataracts, and even early aging, |
| and therefore legitimate preventive health | | | | to name a few. It is speculated that a regular and |
| nutritional supplements. | | | | complete intake of these preventive health |
| 1. Antioxidant preventive health nutritional | | | | nutritional supplements can greatly lower the |
| supplements | | | | chances of acquiring such diseases, as well as |
| Antioxidant preventive health nutritional | | | | slow down the degenerative process. |
| supplements include vitamins C, E, and | | | | The problem with preventive health nutritional |
| beta-carotene-- a compound of vitamin A. Mineral | | | | supplements is that it is hard to know for sure if |
| antioxidants include zinc, selenium, and manganese. | | | | a certain disease would have occurred if a person |
| While it is likely improbable to rid the body from all | | | | was not taking the supplements in the first place, |
| free radicals, together, these vitamins and | | | | or the other way around. At this point, science |
| minerals help defend the body from oxidative | | | | cannot conclude that supplements are "cures" for |
| stressors, working to increase the immune | | | | many diseases. However, supplements have been |
| system. | | | | proven to prevent deficiencies, such as scurvy. |
| 2. How preventive health nutritional supplements | | | | Preventive health nutritional supplements, |
| work | | | | therefore, should be seen as a health insurance |
| Preventive health nutritional supplements can be | | | | for the body with no absolute guarantees. |
| packaged and sold as a sole-vitamin or mineral, or | | | | Important reminder |
| can be compounded together as complete | | | | Preventive health nutritional supplements are not |
| multi-vitamins and minerals. | | | | regulated by the Food and Drug Administration |
| Each vitamin and mineral has its own function in | | | | Board, and therefore, it is safer to go with a |
| fighting free radicals: vitamin C protects and aids | | | | manufacturer that is GMP-compliant to assure the |
| the utilization of proteins in the body; vitamin E | | | | ingredients and product claimed in the label contain |
| protects fat in cell membranes; beta-carotene | | | | the right amount and dosage. GMP compliance also |
| protects against free radicals formed by | | | | assures that the product does not contain any |
| ultraviolet light; zinc guards against free radicals | | | | contaminants. |
| that may have slipped by other antioxidants; and | | | | |