|
| |
 |
Professional Quality Vitamin Supplements at Discount Prices |
 |
Antioxidant Supplements Index
Find Antioxidant Supplements at a Featured
Merchant (below)
Select a Book about Anti Oxidant Supplements
Cell damage from oxidation is believed to be a causative factor in aging and in disease. The
culprits are free radicals or reactive species of oxygen, nitrogen or chlorine.
These agents are normally held in balance in biological systems by
antioxidant defenses. The environment, infections, smoking,
radiation and sunlight can also cause the formation of free radicals.
Antioxidant defenses act in concert in cell differentiation and
growth, immune responses, cell membrane integrity, and normal DNA repair.
Oxidative stress occurs when there are more free radicals than can be dealt with
due to environmental insult, disease or malnutrition.
Even exercise increases the formation of free
radicals because of an increase in oxygen demand and utilization. However, regular exercise
also builds up body defense systems and protects
against damage. An improper balance between formation and destruction of free
radicals may play a role in degenerative disease and aging. Antioxidants in the
diet may prevent disease and deficiencies may be deleterious to fetal and
childhood development.
Free radicals are dangerous groups of atoms
formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly
reactive radicals can start a damaging chain reaction. Their danger comes from
the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components. This
damage can make cells function improperly or die. Free radicals are capable of
impairing the immune system, thus leading to infection and degenerative
processes, including cancer and aging. To prevent free radical damage, the body
requires a defense system of antioxidants.
Antioxidant supplements are a powerful group of nutrients (vitamins, minerals
and enzymes) that support the body’s protection from free radical formation and
cellular damage. The molecules in antioxidant supplements can safely interact
with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are
damaged or die. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that
“scavenge” free radicals, the key nutrients needed cannot be manufactured by the
body and must be adequately supplied by the diet.
Key antioxidant supplements include Coenzyme Q10, an important co-factor in
cellular energy and oxidative function. Ginkgo Biloba, a potent herb that
enhances circulation and oxygen delivery to vital organs and supports nerve
tissue function for mental alertness; Glutathione, the powerful cell protector
that also detoxifies environmental tobacco smoke, UV sunlight radiation, toxic
chemotherapy effects, and consumed alcohol. Glutathione has a key role of
combining with Selenium, a trace mineral to form the enzyme glutathione
peroxidase, which neutralizes the formation of hydrogen peroxide. Beta-carotene
(which the body converts to vitamin A), and vitamin C and E all have powerful
antioxidant effects that destroy potential carcinogens – or cancer-causing
agents – and promote healthy heart tissue, stimulate the immune system and
promote anti-aging. Additionally, Selenium is required for proper function of
one of the body’s antioxidant enzyme systems.
Comparison Shopping for
Antioxidant
Supplements
ANTIOXIDANTS . . . The “Anti-Aging” Nutrients Boost The
Immune System and Have Powerful Anti-Cancer Activity . . .
Health and nutrition experts have increasingly come to recognize the value of
taking a synergistic blend of potent antioxidants, the cancer-fighting,
health-promoting nutrients that help boost the immune system naturally. Here’s a
summary of major antioxidants that should be considered for daily intake . . .
Researchers analyzed data from the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial
(CARET). They focused on blood samples from 278 subjects with prostate cancer
and 483 matched subjects without cancer. They analyzed blood levels of several
carotenoids, including lutein vitamin A and vitamin E (alpha and gamma
tocopherols), then identified correlations between those levels and the risk of
lung and prostate cancer.
Results: In the overall population, the highest intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin
and alpha-tocopherol were associated with a significantly lower risk of lung
cancer. Women with the highest blood levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin
had the lowest risk of developing lung cancer. The risk reduction associated
with these nutrients was 69% for lutein zeaxanthin. Men with the highest blood
levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) were 41% less likely to develop prostate
cancer.
Firstly, for a good, all-around antioxidant boost, everyone can benefit from
daily vitamin C, vitamin E, and Selenium.
VITAMIN C
- What It Does: May protect against GI (gastro-intestinal)
cancers, cataracts, and heart disease; reduces severity of colds. Optimizes
vitamin E utilization.
- Best Food Sources: Fruits and vegetables (eg., strawberries, citrus fruits,
broccoli, dark leafy green, red peppers).
- Suggested Dose: 500 to 1,000 mg. (or more) a day. Best taken with meals.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E comes in two forms: tocoperols (the most common form of the
vitamin) and tocotrienols. Take a vitamin E supplement to assure you’re getting
optimum tocopherol levels. Less is known about the tocotrienols; research is
ongoing.
- What It Does: Tocopherols may protect against heart disease, stroke,
Alzheimer’s, and certain cancers; they may also enhance immunity. Tocotrienols
may fight heart disease and breast cancer; may also protect skin against the
sun’s UV rays.
- Best Food Sources: Tocopherols: Nuts and vegetable oils have a small amount.
Tocotrienols: Rice bran. Supplements are beneficial to supply a therapeutic dose
of these vital vitamin compounds.
- Suggested Dose Tocopherols: 400 to 800 IU of natural vitamin E a day,
preferably as mixed tocopherols; best taken with meals.
SELENIUM
- What It Does: Protects against cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and macular
degeneration. Assists other antioxidants to function at optimum levels.
- Best Food Sources: Brazil nuts, grains, vegetables (selenium content varies
depending on the soil produce is grown in.)
- Suggested Dose: 100 to 200 mcg. a day; avoid higher daily doses, which may
be toxic. Take with meals to help boost absorption.
COENZYME Q10
- What It Does: May fight cancer and heart disease; strengthens gums; protects
nerves; helps generate energy, naturally.
- Where It’s Found and Specific Food Sources: Present in all cells of the
body, especially in the heart. Also found in nuts and oils, but supplementation
is required to get a therapeutic dose.
- Suggested Dose: At least 30 mg. a day. CoQ10 is particularly important
for anyone who has heart disease. In addition, anyone taking
cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, such as Mevacor (lovastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin),
or Zocor (simvastatin) should take CoQ10 because these drugs deplete the body’s
store of Coenzyme.
ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID
- What It Does: May protect against heart disease, cataracts, stroke, cancer,
and diabetes-related nerve damage. May also help boost critical glutathione
levels.
- Best Food Sources: Found in tiny amounts in some foods (eg., spinach, beef,
potatoes).
- Suggested Dose 100 mg. a day with food. For people with diabetes, 200 mg.
three times a day.
These Additional Antioxidants May Also be Beneficial to
Your Health . . .
Other antioxidants that may be worth including in your antioxidant mix –
depending on your individual health concerns – are carotenoids, ginkgo biloba,
and proanthocyanidins. Glutathione, an amino-acid like antioxidant, is very
important for immunity and proper liver function. Taking these additional
antioxidants boosts your body’s natural production of valuable glutathione.
CAROTENOIDS
- What They Do: May lower your risk of certain cancers, heart disease,
cataracts, and macular degeneration.
- Best Food Sources: Orange and red fruits and vegetables; dark green
vegetables.
- Suggested Dose: If diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables: Take mixed
carotenoids supplying 25,000 IU of vitamin A
activity a day.
GINKGO BILOBA
- What It Does: Improves circulation; may fight heart disease, Alzheimer’s,
impotence.
- Where It’s Found: Extracted from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree.
- Suggested Dose 30 to 60 mg., of extract (equivalent 250 mg. - 500 mg. of
whole herb) once or twice a day, with or without food.
PROANTHOCYANIDINS (Grape Seed Extract
/ Pine Bark Extract / Berry, Fruit
Extracts)
- What It Does: Boosts body’s production of vitamins C and E and glutathione.
- Where It’s Found: Extracted from grape seeds, berry extracts or
pine bark (such as
Pycnogenol).
- Suggested Dose 30 to 200 mg. a day.
SOURCES / REFERENCES: “The Doctor’s Complete Guide To Vitamins and Minerals”
/ Eades, M.D. “The Nutrition Desk Reference” / Garrison, Jr., M.A., R.Ph. &
Somer, M.A., R.D. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention,
2003;2003:518-526.
|
w/PhytoNutrients
Mutiple
Blend of Standardized Berry Extracts
