The Truth About Antioxidants And Vitamins

A few things to clear up about vitamins and antioxidants and free radicals that you may not have known.

1. Myth: All free radicals must be destroyed.  We know that free radicals are a by-product of a basic metabolic process called oxidation. But some free radicals are essential. For instance, immune cells will shoot free radicals into invading bacteria in order to kill them, as part of the body's defenses.  While some vitamins and nutrients are necessary to neutralize free radicals from pollutants, and smoke sun overexposure, you don't want to overdo it. In fact, there are different types of free radicals. Before you go taking a handful of vitamins to "take care of" those radicals, read on.
2. Myth: Antioxidants are all created equal.  Antioxidants are the neutralizers of free radicals, and they prevent oxidation (hence, anti-oxidation). However, be it a vitamin or nutrient, not all are going to have the same effect. You can't expect to take Vitamin D or C and not get enough of Vitamin E for example. Consuming a wide range of vitamins and nutrients is the best way to get  a gamut of antioxidants. They all provide a unique benefit to the body. Estimates are that there are around 8,000 different varieties. With different free radicals, it only makes sense that there by different types of antioxidants.
3. Myth: All antioxidants come from fruits and vegetables. While this is the best source of antioxidants - fruits, vegetables, grapes, berries (all sources of nutrients found in Juice Plus+®) - these aren't the only sources. The entire plant kingdom does, and that includes beans, nuts, seeds, and grains. (In fact, while Juice Plus+® whole food nutritional supplement contains nutrients from a variety of fruits and vegetables, it also contains antioxidants from 2 different grain). The best thing to do is get a variety of fruits and vegetables, including grains, beans, and seeds so that you get as wide a range of antioxidants as possible.
4. Myth: Antioxidant-Fortified Foods Are Healthier.  This is one area where many people have fallen victim. There is no reason to believe that foods that are fortified with vitamins and antioxidants are any better for you. Many companies jumped on the wagon and put something in their products just so they could put that ever-luring "Antioxidants" term on their packaging to entice us to buy. In reality, there is no reasearch proving one with "A's" is healthier than without. Let's use some common sense here and say that the whole food source is the only healthy way to get a wide range of antioxidants. Adding Vitamins C or B to a water drink doesn't make it better. Some studies show that these synthetic forms of vitamins have acutally increased the risk of sickness and disease.
5. Myth: Exercise And Antioxidant Supplements Will Keep Me Healthy.  Some studies show that it may not be the best thing to do to take vitamins, supplements, or antioxidants of any sort, right after exercsing.  The body's natural processes need not be interfered with by taking concentrated vitamins and supplements. Eating whole food fruits and vegetables are the best way to provide the nutrients and recovery support for your body's cells.

When it comes to adding any supplement to your diet, we recommend a whole food nutritional supplement. Juice Plus+® is one example, but eating plenty of those foods in their raw, ripened state is going to be your best defense against free radicals and preventing sickness and disease. You won't go wrong with a comprehensively healthy diet.

Dr. J. Patrick Havey
The Health & Wellness Institute, PC

Source Referenced: Men's Health, June 2010 Issue; The Truth About Antioxidants