Antioxidants

Question: Antioxidants? Can some one have TOO many antioxidants in one day?

Answer: I'm a registered dietitian. So long as you're getting them from food only, typically, no, you can't have "too many". Anti-oxidants, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and others may offer you a host of health benefits. Only time you'd be at risk of "too many" is if you're superdosing with anti-oxidant vitamins/supplements. At high doses,anti-oxidants can turn into into pro-oxidants. Be especially careful with excess supplementation of vitamin E-- no more than 200 I.U. per day. I'd also suggest buying mixed-tocopherols instead of alpha-tocopherol, as a vitamin E supplement. Also limit your supplemental vitamin A intake to no more than 4000 I.U./ day. A and E are fat-soluble vitamins which means that your body stores them longer, so you don't need to take them every day. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means you'll pee out whatever you don't need. However, the best way to ensure great anti-oxidant coverage is to get your vitamins and minerals by eating 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Take one multi-vitamin a day, and you should be fine. Good luck.

Question: Are the antioxidants in different foods all the same? Do I need different antioxidants? For instance, the antioxidant activity in black olives is very high. Blueberries are high in antioxidants, too. Am I better off eating both foods than concentrating on only one? Please explain how this works.

Answer: the antioxidants in different foods are certainly not the same. the more variety of food the better. antioxidant is refered to as anything that helps your body scavange free radicals or other "oxidants". some antioxidants like the ones found on black olives might help the membrane of each of your cells scavange free radicals (which cause damage to cells). In the same way antioxidants like the ones found in blueberries might not have a great role in cellular membranes, but they might be great at protecting your lungs against all the pollutants in the air. these are just 2 examples, and really there are many others I could give but without getting into too much chemistry it might be hard. there are other antioxidants for example that help your DNA resist against things like UV damage. for this reason, you should eat different foods and not focus on just one because you heard it is good for something. every food has its uniqueness and will help you in a different way.

Question: What exactly are antioxidants and how can they protect my body? I have heard a lot about antioxidants which act as a shield for our body. How can I get more of these? What exactly are they and how can they protect my body?

Answer: Antioxidants are just what you said, a "shield for our body." They boost our immune system and keep us from getting sick. They are found in healthy foods like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, most veggies, and even in dark chocolate. (dark, not milk). Good question!

Question: How important are antioxidants in a healthy diet? Also, can you name different foods that are high in antioxidants?

Answer: They are very important. But food sources are far better than supplements. Go for 67% cocao chocolate, green tea, fruits and veggies.

Question: How does antioxidants release from your body and what changes can you expect? Increasing antioxidants in the body system has a added defense and increases immune system. I have added pomegranates and blueberries and juices of the two to my diet. What changes are likely to occur when antioxidants are added to the defense mechanism of the immune system?

Answer: Antioxidants bind to something called free radicals. They decrease you chance of getting certain types of cancer. Pomegranates and blueberries are high in antioxidants, but all fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants.

Question: What are some natural antioxidants like green and white tea? I know of several types of teas that are great antioxidants, but what are some other natural anti agers? I've heard that boiling lemons in water and drinking the water is great for you, is that true? Thanks you so much for your help!

Answer: Rooibos tea......naturally caffeine free and rich in anti-oxidants. Dark skinned fruits and pomegranates, dates and figs. Herbs such as sage, thyme, basil, oregano and rosemary.....add these to your cooking. Rosemary is one of the most powerful antioxidants known and used in the food industry as a preservative for that very purpose. Vitamins C and E and the supplements alpha lipoic acid. Ryalo jelly, bee propolis and raw honey. Avoid stress and avoid strong sun unless you cover up with a good sunblock. Get enough sleep. Eat well and avoid caffeine and additives such as aspartame and MSG. Having good genes and a good bone structure does help.

Question: What is the cheapest way to get all the daily antioxidants a person needs? When it comes to eating healthy I am a beginner. I'm looking for some help to get me on track within a budget of around $40-50 a week($160-$200 a month) of healthy food. I just started reading about eating healthy and only got to read about antioxidants. If theres more than antioxidants that I need to eat to have a healthy diet please let me know. I guess sticking to a routine is also important, which I don't have right now. My goal is to improve my health and physical appearance. I'm not overweight, but I am young. I am tired most of the day and I have a hard time waking/getting up since I always feel out of energy. My appearance looks like I am about 15 years older than what I really am probably because of unhealty eating habits. I would like to get on track today with some healthy foods So, I need a shopping list. What are some things I should start buying today when I go to the grocery store. And what are some ways should I prepare what I purchase

Answer: When it comes to antioxidents in this day and age it is hard to get enough without supplementing your diet. Our foods don't have the same properties that they used to have ( soil over used, chemicals ect. ) So you really need to find a good quality supplement for that. The other thing that I would strongly suggest would be Vit C. People don't pay attention to its importance any more. If you smoke, you want to take at least 2000 mg a day( I take over 2500 a day and have for years, people think that I am nuts but I rarely get sick and the research backs me up. ). As far as eating healthy goes its really not that difficult. Avoid proccessed foods, and anything with high trans fat. Choose whole grains, vegtables, fish ( especially wild salmon ) some red meat. I personally try to buy organic as often as possible. It can be expensive however, you may be able to find a grocery store that has a large enough customer base for organic items that they are able to keep there prices reasonable. I particularily prefer organic fruit because you eat the outer layer that has come in direct contact with chemicals. After very little reserch, you will get overwhelmed with the list of things that you are told you need to take. Stick to the basics, A good multi vitamin and some minerals as well as CoQ10 and essential fatty acids ( such as salmon oil ) What you want to watch for is that the quality of whatever you take is proven and high. There are many supplements out there that are of such poor quality that you are wasting your money. Ask in a well respected health food store, they will tell you what to avoid. Make roasted buckwheat groats like rice instead of potatoes, or wild/ brown mixed rice ( white rice is no good ) Olive oil or butter instead of margerine. I do all my frying in olive oil. plus it makes a great dressing. Poach or roast wild salmon with honey and garlic nuts and cranberries are great snacks fry ground turkey, make a gravy right in frying pan. Check out recipe sites, you'll find all kinds of great ideas. God luck!

Question: How do Antioxidants prevent of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and macular degeneration? What do the antioxidants do to promote prevention?

Answer: Antioxidants can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of free radicals, and people who eat fruits and vegetables rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases This observation suggested that these compounds might prevent conditions such as macular degeneration suppressed immunity due to poor nutrition and neurodegeneration, which are caused by oxidative stress However, despite the clear role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease, controlled studies using antioxidant vitamins have observed no reduction in either the risk of developing heart disease, or the rate of progression of existing disease This suggests that other substances in fruit and vegetables (possibly flavonoids) at least partially explain the better cardiovascular health of those who consume more fruit and vegetables It is thought that oxidation of low density lipoprotein in the blood contributes to heart disease, and initial observational studies found that people taking Vitamin E supplements had a lower risk of developing heart disease.Consequently, at least seven large clinical trials were conducted to test the effects of antioxidant supplement with Vitamin E, in doses ranging from 50 to 600 mg per day. However, none of these trials found a statistically significant effect of Vitamin E on overall number of deaths or on deaths due to heart disease It is not clear if the doses used in these trials or in most dietary supplements are capable of producing any significant decrease in oxidative stress While several trials have investigated supplements with high doses of antioxidants, the "Supplémentation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants" (SU.VI.MAX) study tested the effect of supplementation with doses comparable to those in a healthy diet Over 12,500 French men and women took either low-dose antioxidants (120 mg of ascorbic acid, 30 mg of vitamin E, 6 mg of beta carotene, 100 μg of selenium, and 20 mg of zinc) or placebo pills for an average of 7.5 years. The investigators found there was no statistically significant effect of the antioxidants on overall survival, cancer, or heart disease. However, a subgroup analysis showed a 31% reduction in the risk of cancer in men, but not women. Many nutraceutical and health food companies now sell formulations of antioxidants as dietary supplements and these are widely used in industrialized countries These supplements may include specific antioxidant chemicals, like resveratrol (from grape seeds), combinations of antioxidants, like the "ACES" products that contain beta carotene (provitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E and Selenium, or herbs that contain antioxidants - such as green tea and jiaogulan. Although some levels of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in the diet are required for good health, there is considerable doubt as to whether antioxidant supplementation is beneficial, and if so, which antioxidant(s) are beneficial and in what amounts.] It has been suggested that moderate levels of oxidative stress may increase life expectancy of in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, by inducing a protective response to increased levels of reactive oxygen species However, the suggestion that increased life expectancy comes from increased oxidative stress conflicts with results seen in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the situation in mammals is even less clear. [

Question: What are antioxidants and what exactly do they do? We see bottles of refreshments, foods, cooking oils that mention antioxidants. What are they? What do they do for us, I know they help keep us healthy. But in what way?

Answer: Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in our foods which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause damage. The antioxidants fight these.

Question: Does adding cream in coffee kill the antioxidants? I read coffee can have positive health affects on people who drink it. But I came across an article below that says adding milk to your coffee kills the antioxidants (which have the health benefits). Now does anyone know if adding non-dairy creamer would have the same affect on the antioxidants? http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2005/mar/03coffee.htm

Answer: That is a new one on me. I would love to see the research on it. However, milk or cream does really change the flavor of coffee. I maintain that good coffee (high quality beans, fresh roasted, properly brewed) doesn't need milk or sugar. Additives mask both the tastes that are unique to varietal beans, origins, and the roasting method. So, be safe and skip the milk! Better flavor and maybe better health! enjoy!

Question: How many mg of antioxidants should a person get each day? And what do antioxidants really even do for the body?

Answer: There is no set amount that a person should take but this is some information on antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, selenium, a trace metal that is required for proper function of one of the body's antioxidant enzyme systems, is sometimes included in this category. The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet. Vitamin E : d-alpha tocopherol. A fat soluble vitamin present in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains (esp. wheat germ), fortified cereals, and apricots. Current recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 15 IU per day for men and 12 IU per day for women. Vitamin C : Ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries. The RDA is 60 mg per day. Intake above 2000 mg may be associated with adverse side effects in some individuals. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A (retinol) and is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A by the body there is no set requirement. Instead the RDA is expressed as retinol equivalents (RE), to clarify the relationship. (NOTE: Vitamin A has no antioxidant properties and can be quite toxic when taken in excess.) Preventing cancer and heart disease -- do antioxidants help? Epidemiologic observations show lower cancer rates in people whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables. This has lead to the theory that these diets contain substances, possibly antioxidants, which protect against the development of cancer. There is currently intense scientific investigation into this topic. Thus far, none of the large, well designed studies have shown that dietary supplementation with extra antioxidants reduces the risk of developing cancer. In fact one study demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer in male smokers who took antioxidants vs. male smoker who did not supplement. Whether this effect was from the antioxidants is unknown but it does raise the issue that antioxidants may be harmful under certain conditions. Antioxidants are also thought to have a role in slowing the aging process and preventing heart disease and strokes, but the data is still inconclusive. Therefore from a public health perspective it is premature to make recommendations regarding antioxidant supplements and disease prevention. New data from ongoing studies will be available in the next few years and will shed more light on this constantly evolving area. Perhaps the best advice, which comes from several authorities in cancer prevention, is to eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day. Exercise and oxidative damage Endurance exercise can increase oxygen utilization from 10 to 20 times over the resting state. This greatly increases the generation of free radicals, prompting concern about enhanced damage to muscles and other tissues. The question that arises is, how effectively can athletes defend against the increased free radicals resulting from exercise? Do athletes need to take extra antioxidants? Because it is not possible to directly measure free radicals in the body, scientists have approached this question by measuring the by-products that result from free radical reactions. If the generation of free radicals exceeds the antioxidant defenses then one would expect to see more of these by-products. These measurements have been performed in athletes under a variety of conditions. Several interesting concepts have emerged from these types of experimental studies. Regular physical exercise enhances the antioxidant defense system and protects against exercise induced free radical damage. This is an important finding because it shows how smart the body is about adapting to the demands of exercise. These changes occur slowly over time and appear to parallel other adaptations to exercise. On the other hand, intense exercise in untrained individuals overwhelms defenses resulting in increased free radical damage. Thus, the "weekend warrior" who is predominantly sedentary during the week but engages in vigorous bouts of exercise during the weekend may be doing more harm than good. To this end there are many factors which may determine whether exercise induced free radical damage occurs, including degree of conditioning of the athlete, intensity of exercise, and diet. Can antioxidant supplements prevent exercise induced damage or enhance recovery from exercise? Although it is well known that vitamin deficiencies can create difficulties in training and recovery, the role of antioxidant supplementation in a well nourished athlete is controversial. The experimental studies are often conflicting and conclusions are difficult to reach. Nevertheless, most of the data suggest that increased intake of vitamin E is protective against exercise induced oxidative damage. It is hypothesized that vitamin E is also involved in the recovery process following exercise. Currently, the amount of vitamin E needed to produce these effects is unknown. The diet may supply enough vitamin E in most athletes, but some may require supplementation. There is no firm data to support the use of increased amounts of the other antioxidants. Performance In general, antioxidant supplements have not been shown to be useful as performance enhancers. The one exception to this is vitamin E which has been shown to be useful in athletes exercising at high altitudes. A placebo controlled study done on mountaineers demonstrated less free radical damage and decline in anaerobic threshold in those athletes supplemented with vitamin E. Although difficult to generalize, this finding suggests that supplementation with vitamin E might be beneficial in those triathletes who are adapting to higher elevations. How much is enough? Although there is little doubt that antioxidants are a necessary component for good health, no one knows if supplements should be taken and, if so, how much. Antioxidants supplements were once thought to be harmless but increasingly we are becoming aware of interactions and potential toxicity. It is interesting to note that, in the normal concentrations found in the body, vitamin C and beta-carotene are antioxidants; but at higher concentrations they are pro-oxidants and, thus, harmful. Also, very little is known about the long term consequences of megadoses of antioxidants. The body's finely tuned mechanisms are carefully balanced to withstand a variety of insults. Taking chemicals without a complete understanding of all of their effects may disrupt this balance. Recommendations * Follow a balanced training program that emphasizes regular exercise and eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day. This will ensure that you are developing your inherent antioxidant systems and that your diet is providing the necessary components. * Weekend warriors should strongly consider a more balanced approach to exercise. Failing that, consider supplementation. * For extremely demanding races (such as an ultradistance event), or when adapting to high altitude, consider taking a vitamin E supplement (100 to 200 IU, approximately 10 times the RDA) per day for several weeks up to and following the race. * Look for upcoming FDA recommendations, but be wary of advertising and media hype. * Do not oversupplement.

Question: What is the role of antioxidants in human sight? I need to know whether the antioxidants can improve eye sight. If yes then how it works.

Answer: Antioxidants can protect your eyes from damage, but wouldn't necessarily be expected to improve your eyesight. Certain antioxidants are believed to protect the retina and can be found in vitamins made specifically for eye health. The retina is very metabolically active tissue and free radicals are generated by that process. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and protect from damage. Antioxidants can also help protect the cornea and lens from damage due to sunlight. There are many eye diseases where oxidative damage is believed to play a part, even though it may not be the major cause. So a good analogy would be that sunscreen prevents a sunburn but will not cure one - the same with antioxidants - they can prevent eye damage but will not reverse it or improve your eyesight. Unless you are getting VERY low levels of vitamin A in your diet (which is rare in industrialized nations). This can give you problems with your eyesight that can be reversed by getting vitamin A, but do not take more than the RDA of vit. A - it can be toxic.

Question: What are some foods that are high in antioxidants? I need to know which foods are high in antioxidants because i have acne, its not severe or anything but its a couple on my forehead and i'm so tired of them they are really bringing my confidence down. I heard if you eat foods that are high in antioxidants then they will also purify your skin and such. Is this true and any other tips for acne?

Answer: Pretty sure that if you go by the intensity of the color you will be safe. The more intense the color the higher in antioxidants the food is. Blueberries are high. Red/ black grapes would be higher than green grapes. I am sure people will list all sorts of foods but easier than keeping a list with you use your eyes to make your choices.

Question: Is it good to take Antioxidants along with all the other vitamins? I take a lot of supplements everyday but usually one day a week I will only take antioxidants and drink a lot of water. Is this right?

Answer: Antioxidants can naturally found in foods if you eat right. Check this article out : http://www.artcademy.biz/Antioxidants%20naturally%20found%20in%20foods.htm

Question: What kinds of red wine have the highest antioxidants? I'm aware that it is not a good idea to start drinking solely for the antioxidants, but I also know that if you do drink wine, it is better to go for red as opposed to white. I already drink moderate amounts of beer and some liquor, but I am starting to take a liking to wine, being a professional and all. What kinds of red have the most antioxidants?

Answer: Vaya, The substance in wine that has antioxidant properties is called resveratrol. Studies have shown that the wines that come from a cooler regions have the most amount of beneficial resveratrol. Variety include malbec, petite sirah, st. laurent and pinot noir. Combination of dark grape paired with thick skin is the key. Any Merlot is a winner, domestic comes from Washington State. French wine comes from Bordeaux region, and is more expensive. Of course wine is most beneficial when drank in moderation, too much will cause the alcohol to go againts resveratrol. To your health..

Question: How do you test food for antioxidants? As in, how would you find out how many antioxidants are in,say, walnuts or blueberries? It is for a science research project and I cannot seem to find enough information.

Answer: Go 2 a Lab... ...or use "wwwinfocom" search 4: (antioxidants+research+walnuts+blueberries) chose the best site...