| Hundreds of studies done over the last few | | | | nutrients including but not limited to antioxidants," |
| decades have shown the benefits of eating whole | | | | Lin said. |
| fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, | | | | Fruits and vegetables are rich in these vitamins, |
| nuts and seeds. Scientists have studied these | | | | and it has been shown that people who eat plenty |
| foods to determine what is in them that provides | | | | of these foods have a lower risk of heart |
| these positive results in lower cancer rates, less | | | | disease, cancer and other conditions. |
| heart disease, strokes, diabetes and many other | | | | In a separate study released in November, 2008 |
| chronic diseases. One common factor in all of | | | | involving about 15,000 male doctors, vitamin E and |
| these are the "antioxidants" vitamins A (in the | | | | C supplements did not lower cancer risk. Another |
| form of beta-carotene), C and E. | | | | study released in October, 2008 found no cancer |
| An antioxidant is a molecule which can slow or | | | | reduction in 35,000 men taking vitamin E and |
| prevent the oxidation of other molecules. | | | | selenium supplements. |
| Oxidation is a natural process in the body that can | | | | Previous to these, two major studies sponsored |
| produce free radicals, which start chain reactions | | | | by the National Cancer Institute in 1994 and 1996 |
| that damage cells. This damage is thought to be | | | | showed that the incidence of lung cancer was |
| the root cause many of the chronic diseases | | | | 12-28 percent higher among participants who took |
| common today. | | | | beta-carotene supplements than among those |
| Because of the known benefits of these | | | | who took a placebo. The rate of death from all |
| antioxidants in foods, and the fact that many | | | | causes was 8-17 percent higher in those who |
| people--for whatever reason--do not eat enough | | | | received the beta-carotene supplements. The two |
| of these foods; supplement manufacturers have | | | | studies involved 29,000 and 18,000 participants |
| created antioxidant supplements to make it easy | | | | respectively over a period of 4-6 years. |
| for people to add them to their diet. | | | | Summary |
| The question is, do these supplements provide | | | | 1. There are still some unknown factors in whole |
| the same health-enhancing benefits as getting | | | | foods which provide health-enhancing benefits |
| these antioxidants naturally in foods? The answer, | | | | besides the major vitamin antioxidants that we |
| from recent studies, seems to be "NO." | | | | know of. |
| The most recent study published in the January 7, | | | | 2. It is difficult, if not impossible to duplicate the |
| 2009 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer | | | | complexity and balance of nutrients in foods |
| Institute, followed two other important studies | | | | created in nature. |
| that also did not show that various antioxidant | | | | 3. It can actually be harmful to separate and eat |
| supplements could prevent cancer. | | | | isolated parts of foods and remove the natural |
| "Although a healthful dietary pattern rich in fruits | | | | balance of nutrients in they contain. |
| and vegetables may lower cancer risk, such | | | | In regard to #1 above, we actually do know what |
| benefits cannot be mimicked by simply popping a | | | | some of these other factors are. They are called |
| few vitamin supplements," Dr. JoAnn Manson of | | | | "phytonutrients" and have many positive functions |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard | | | | in the body including--but not limited |
| Medical School in Boston said in a statement. | | | | to--antioxidation. There are dozens, sometimes |
| Dr. Manson and colleagues tracked 7,627 women | | | | hundreds, or even thousands of these in the best |
| with an average age of 60, who took | | | | foods. They all need to work together in |
| supplements for about 9-1/2 years. | | | | synergy--not each separately. |
| Some took 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily, 600 | | | | The bottom line: there are no shortcuts to eating |
| IU (international units) of vitamin E every other | | | | the best foods such as fresh vegetables and |
| day or 50 milligrams of beta carotene every | | | | fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas, nuts |
| other day--or different combinations of the three | | | | and seeds), low-fat dairy, and lean meats. |
| supplements. Others were given placebos. | | | | So focus on eating the best foods in their most |
| Results showed that women who took the | | | | unprocessed whole-food form, rather than |
| supplements had similar rates of cancer and | | | | counting on supplements to make up the |
| cancer death compared to those who took a | | | | difference in your diet. If you do supplement, |
| placebo. The study suggested that vitamin E | | | | make sure it is based on whole-food concentrates |
| supplements might reduce colon cancer risk and | | | | as foundational nutrition, rather than isolated |
| that beta carotene supplements might actually | | | | vitamins and minerals--so you get the natural |
| modestly raise lung cancer risk. | | | | balance they provide. If you have a specific need |
| "Simply taking antioxidant supplements is | | | | for more of a certain vitamin or mineral due to a |
| insufficient to prevent cancer. People should take | | | | deficiency--add those to your diet as prescribed |
| more natural plant foods which are rich with many | | | | by your health professional. Healthy eating! |