MAX dupplements, 13, French men and women Sugar replacements for coffee eupplements single Endurance race nutrition capsule that contained mg vitamin Antioxidant supplements, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, mcg selenium, and 20 mg zinc, or a placebo, for seven and a half years. Good sources of specific antioxidants include:. Home Services Experienced Pros Happiness Guarantee.

Antioxidant supplements -

Your body needs to maintain a certain balance between free radicals and antioxidants. When this equilibrium is disrupted, it can lead to oxidative stress. Plants and animals, as well as all other forms of life, have their own defenses against free radicals and oxidative damage.

Adequate antioxidant intake is important. In fact, your life depends on the intake of certain antioxidants — namely, vitamins C and E. However, many other non-essential antioxidants occur in food. The health benefits associated with a diet rich in plants is at least partially due to the variety of antioxidants they provide Berries, green tea , coffee, and dark chocolate are renowned for being good sources of antioxidants Meat products and fish also contain antioxidants, but to a lesser extent than fruits and vegetables 15 , Antioxidants can increase the shelf life of both natural and processed foods.

For instance, vitamin C is often added to processed foods to act as a preservative Your diet is an essential source of antioxidants, which are found in animal and plant foods — especially vegetables, fruits, and berries. Water-soluble antioxidants perform their actions in the fluid inside and outside cells, whereas fat-soluble ones act primarily in cell membranes.

Notable examples include curcuminoids in turmeric and oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil. These substances function as antioxidants but also have potent anti-inflammatory activity 19 , Some studies even show that high doses of antioxidants increase your risk of death 23 , For this reason, most health professionals advise people to avoid high-dose antioxidant supplements , although further studies are needed before solid conclusions can be reached.

Eating plenty of antioxidant-rich whole food is a much better idea. Studies indicate that foods reduce oxidative damage to a greater extent than supplements. For example, one study compared the effects of drinking blood-orange juice and sugar water, both of which contained equal amounts of vitamin C.

It found that the juice had significantly greater antioxidant power The best strategy to ensure adequate antioxidant intake is to follow a diet rich in various vegetables and fruits, alongside other healthy habits However, low-dose supplements, such as multivitamins, may be beneficial if you are deficient in certain nutrients or unable to follow a healthy diet.

Studies suggest that taking regular, high-dose antioxidant supplements may be harmful. If possible, get your daily dose of antioxidants from whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Adequate antioxidant intake is essential to a healthy diet, although some studies suggest that high-dose supplements may be harmful.

The best strategy is to get your daily dose of antioxidants from healthy plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

But it isn't clear whether this is because of the antioxidants, something else in the foods, or other factors. High-dose supplements of antioxidants may be linked to health risks in some cases.

For example, high doses of beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. High doses of vitamin E may increase risks of prostate cancer and one type of stroke.

Antioxidant supplements may also interact with some medicines. To minimize risk, tell your health care providers about any antioxidants you use. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. On this page Basics Summary Start Here. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Statistics and Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles.

Resources Find an Expert. For You No links available. The main antioxidants that help regulate free radicals in your body are the vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium. The health detriments associated with taking antioxidant supplements outnumber its potential benefits.

Your body naturally produces free radicals as a byproduct of energy metabolism during exercise. The harder and longer you exercise , the more free radicals your body produces 6. However, several studies have shown that taking antioxidant supplements — specifically vitamins C and E — can interfere with how your body adapts to exercise and even eliminate some of the health benefits associated with exercise 8 , 9 , 10 , Since antioxidants neutralize free radicals, taking antioxidant supplements have been speculated to decrease the risk of developing or dying from cancer Several meta-analyses, however, have shown that taking antioxidant supplements does neither reduce the risk of many types of cancers nor reduce the risk of dying from them once diagnosed, In fact, they may even increase the risk of certain cancers 14 , 15 , 16 , In addition, several meta-analyses have found that beta-carotene supplements, a precursor of vitamin A, increases the risk of bladder cancer, and, in people who smoke, the risk of lung cancer as well 18 , 19 , 20 , The exception is selenium , which may help prevent cancer in people with low levels of the mineral or in people with an elevated risk of cancer.

However, more research is needed before selenium can be recommended for this purpose 16 , 22 , 23 , Vitamin A is important for fetal growth and development, but at high doses, vitamin A supplements can increase the risk of birth defects 25 , Therefore, women who might be or are pregnant should not take high doses of vitamin A supplements These supplements are only recommended for pregnant women in areas where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent, such as in Africa and Southeast Asia 28 , Beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, is not shown to lead to birth defects.

But since taking the supplement long-term is associated with cancer, pregnant women should consult with their physician before taking beta-carotene supplements 30 , Though antioxidant supplements are generally not recommended for a variety of reasons, the antioxidant vitamin C may benefit people with the common cold or those who smoke.

Vitamin C has not been shown to prevent the common cold , but it may reduce its severity and duration. In addition, higher doses may cause stomach upset Similarly, exposure to secondhand smoke also increases vitamin C needs Yet, this additional need for vitamin C can be easily met through diet and without taking antioxidant supplements.

For the most part, the use of antioxidant supplements is discouraged, though the antioxidant vitamin C can benefit people with the common cold or those who smoke. Still, needs can often be met through diet instead of supplements.

Getting antioxidants from food rather than supplements is much safer and healthier. While animal-based products, such as eggs and dairy products, have antioxidants, plant-based foods are particularly high in them Antioxidants are found in most foods, but plant-based sources such as fruits and vegetables are particularly rich in them.

Antioxidant supplements are commonly considered healthy but can be problematic when taken in excess.

In Supplemenys, this Heart health community because fruits and vegetables, which Appetite reduction supplements rich in antioxidants, are associated Antikxidant many health benefits, including a reduced risk Angioxidant disease 1. Yet, there is strong evidence to suupplements that you may be doing your health a disservice by supplementing with antioxidants. Antioxidant supplements contain concentrated forms of antioxidants, which are substances that stabilize free radicals. Environmental factors, such as UV exposure, air pollutants, tobacco smoke and industrial chemicals like pesticidesare also sources of free radicals 2. Over time, this contributes to aging and the development of diseases, including cancer 3.

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Are Antioxidants Actually Good for Anything? Leaning on antioxidant-rich foods is generally safer and Antilxidant Antioxidant supplements health. A dietitian explains why. Isabel Vasquez Supplements a bilingual registered dietitian practicing Antioxidany an Healthy diet plans eating, culturally sensitive framework. Her clinical experience includes providing outpatient nutrition counseling to adults with a variety of chronic health conditions, along with providing family-based treatment for eating disorders in children and adolescents. She also offers intuitive eating coaching for Latinas to heal their relationships with food, particularly their cultural foods.