Antioxidants don’t prolong life–study

March 4th, 2007 by Sexy Mom · Viewed 6261 times · 25 Comments

The 1 March issue of the Philippine Star reported that a new study—Antioxidants don’t prolong life—appeared in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. The study was led by the Cochraine Hepato-Biliary Group at Copenahagen University Hospital in Denmark. The Cochraine organization is a respected international network of experts that does systematic reviews of scientific evidence on health intervations. The study mentioned that:

Antioxidant vitamins taken by tens of millions of people around the world won’t lead to a longer life, according to an analysis of dozens of studies that adds to evidence questioning the value of the popular supplements. The large review of several sudies on thousands of people found no long-life benefit from vitamins A, E and C and beta carotene and selenium.

However, some experts said it’s too early to toss out all vitamin pills—or the possibility that they may have some health benefits. Others said the study supports the theory that antioxindants work best when they are consumed in food rather than pills.

There are some disturbing parts of the study.

The study’s senior author, Dr. Chistian Glaud of Copenhagen University Hospital, said “The main message is that prevention by beta carotene, vitamin A and E cannot be recommeded. These three antioxidant supplements may increase mortality.

Preliminary studies suggested antioxidants might block the heart-damaging effects of oxygen on arteries and the cell damage that might encourage some kinds of cancer.

The Reader’s Digest March 2007 edition also gives an interesting discussion on antioxidants and the recent findings by the National Cancer Institute and the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. Here are some excerpts from the Reader’s Digest article:

The conclusion is becoming clear: the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can’t be reproduced by taking purified extracts of vitamin supplements.

For now, the advice is simple. “Stick to flavinoid-rich foods, red wine in moderation, tea fruit and vegetables”, says Hallwell. “Don’t start taking high-dose supplements or heavily fortified food until we know more.”

I found an interesting site which gives an easy understanding of antioxidants.

Antioxidant is a classification of several organic substances, including vitamins C and E, vitamin A (which is converted from beta-carotene), selenium (a mineral), and a group known as the carotenoids. Carotenoids, of which beta- carotene is the most popular, are a pigment that adds color to many fruits and vegetables—without them, carrots wouldn’t be orange, for example. Together as antioxidants, these substances are thought to be effective in helping to prevent cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

It is best to remember that vitamin and mineral supplements should never be used as substitutes for a healthy, well balanced diet. It is also important to note that we can “over- supplement” our bodies, taking much more than the recommended daily value of certain vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and E are fat soluble, meaning that excess amounts are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, instead of being quickly excreted, creating a risk of toxicity. Your best bet is to eat a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, cantaloupe, and mangoes are great sources of antioxidants.

There have been conflicting reports on the health benefits of antioxidants and beta-carotene, and it is difficult to know what to believe and whose advice to follow. However, some researchers now believe that antioxidants work only when they are in food, or that people who eat vitamin-rich food are healthier simply because they take better care of themselves.

Here are foods containing high levels of antioxidants (ref: Wikepedia)

Vitamin C: fruits and vegetables
Vitamin E: vegetable oils
Polyphenolic antioxidants: tea, coffee, soy, fruit, chocolate and red wine
Carotenoids: fruits and vegetable

An earlier post provides a food chart that gives the benefits of the foods that we eat. Given the above study and the options that we have, we can still take charge of our health (see related post here).

Tags: Food · Health and Beauty · Information

25 responses so far ↓

dexie // Mar 4, 2007 at 2:11 am

ayayay. so many conflicting researchs about food. i stay with mine: eat moderately and exercise, heh.
benj // Mar 4, 2007 at 3:28 am

Well, it doesn’t necessarily prolong your life, but at least it decreases your chances of getting cancer.
Belle // Mar 4, 2007 at 7:30 am

but, along with fiber, veggies, and every bite of fruits comes the risk of exposing our body to a variety of pesticides, fungicides, and various chemical additives. on the other hand, organic produce is quite a bit expensive. that is why, starting a garden is not a bad idea. in my garden, ii plant tomatoes, zucchini, beans, lettuce, all kinds of herbs, eggplant, etc.
sesame // Mar 4, 2007 at 7:37 am

I think balance is key. Take supplements but not excessively and the focus should always be the fresh fruits and quality of the food that we eat daily.
dimaks // Mar 4, 2007 at 9:28 am

mabuti pa noon, konting research at scientists, pero mas mahaba ang buhay ng tao ngayon kumalat ang kaalaman at teknolohiya pero confused ang tao at umigsi ang buhay..
Kyels // Mar 4, 2007 at 12:24 pm

Well, there are so many conflicting thoughts when it comes to food, and all that jazz.

But as the saying goes; do everything moderately, so I guess eating morederately and do exercises would help, definitely.

(:
benj // Mar 4, 2007 at 5:24 pm

dimaks:

life expectancy has actually increased over the past century. Thanks to a lot of new anti biotics and vaccines, we are able to fend off infections better.

And don’t forget about the plague, small pox etc and the other diseases that has since been eradicated.
eye // Mar 4, 2007 at 6:43 pm

this is another interesting study, which reminds me of the nestle tv ad on coffee as a great antioxidant.

i agree w/ the above comments, moderation is the key. eating and ecercising right, coz’ it will all reflect in our bodies when we grow older
eye // Mar 4, 2007 at 6:46 pm

i meant exercising hehe sorry for the double post!
Rach // Mar 4, 2007 at 7:47 pm

Thank you for this interesting information. I agree with sesame, balance is the main key.
richard // Mar 4, 2007 at 9:03 pm

Living a healthy, balanced, and moderate lifestyle is better than trying to compensate with supplements of any sort.

I don’t think it really matters if you try by taking extra pills, or consuming excessive amounts of a foodstuff.

As well, people who promote information of any sort, from any perspective, have an agenda to push their views; so I take all information with a grain of salt.
nao // Mar 5, 2007 at 12:15 am

dumaan tita dine, happy sunday..
Sexy Mom // Mar 5, 2007 at 12:20 am

i agree with most of your comments :), dear friends. the key to a healthy lifestyle is a balanced diet, moderation, exercise. thanks, dexie, sesame, eye, rach, and richard

dimaks, your comment made me
Sexy Mom // Mar 5, 2007 at 12:22 am

belle – lucky, lucky you (i envy your orchard…if only i could have even a smal plot in my home. oh well, i can have pots:)
Sexy Mom // Mar 5, 2007 at 12:22 am

benj, of course, we owe a lot to research, how would have the plague, chicken pox, small pox, and other diseases been prevented, if not for the discovery of the vaccines. but sometimes, there just seems to be a lot of commercialism, that needs are created, when in fact, they are not really needed. oh well, we have been endowed with intelligence. to be selective.

as to antioxidants prolonging life and decreasing the chances of cancer, please take a look at the disturbing findings of the study.
Sexy Mom // Mar 5, 2007 at 12:23 am

hi, nao, what nao? since it is now monday, am wishing you a happy “week start”
Loving Annie // Mar 5, 2007 at 1:41 am

Good morning Sexy Mom ! Every study finds something different, doesn’t it ! I think eating right, exercising, drinking lots of water and good genetics all helps !

I take vitamins, and definitely notice that the omega 3-6-9- combo helps my skin, and also one for joints keeps me suppple !
pining // Mar 5, 2007 at 4:57 am

I agree with them all… life is just getting too complicated with these studies, don’t you think?
Have a good week
vic // Mar 5, 2007 at 5:23 am

Too many studies and not very conclusive. I myself is allergic to most of them, but I always make it a habit to send boxes to my relatives back home, even just for the placibo effect, expecially the brand names, one-a-day by bayer, centrum, jameson.
But with every parcel or boxes I have to remind them all, that lot of vege and fresh non-crawling sea foods and less red-meat and chicken skins are always the best diet in smaller portions. And vitamins are just supplements.
marie // Mar 5, 2007 at 8:39 am

oh really? But I take Vitamins C & E regularly and I think it helps in my immunity.
Girlie // Mar 5, 2007 at 12:41 pm

it’s still important to be watchful of what you eat and take, exercise too is important…but i take vitamin C everyday and still eat fruits rich in vitamin C also
benj // Mar 5, 2007 at 6:48 pm

Yes, antioxidants help with one’s immunity and has been shown to dramatically decrease the risk for certain morbidities. I think the bottom line is that life expectancy is not the end-all and be-all. I’d rather take “quality of life” as a better measure. Let’s face it, it’s better to die of atheroscelrosis (one,two, you’re gone) as opposed to going through a long and expensive duel with cancer.
KK // Mar 6, 2007 at 11:48 am

I like to eat great tasting food(fish, meat, fruits and vegetables), their effects on the body are just a bonus. If they prolong my life, well and good- if not at least I enjoyed my food.
Tess Termulo // Mar 7, 2007 at 10:32 pm

Some people tend to overdose themselves with multivitamins and other diet supplements, thinking it’s strengthens their immunity and “detoxifies ” their body. Take for instance, Vitamin C. Lots of people take vitamin C regularly. What they don’t know is that they’re actually taking megadoses of it, like, 500 mg! Our daily requirement of vitamin C is only about 75 mg for adults and about 30-40 mg for children. Higher doses of vitamin C is only recommended for those who are convalescing or those who are suffering from burns and wounds, as this could hasten healing of the skin. Vitamin C isn’t even that effective in cold prevention. Read this monograph from the Mayo Clinic for more details.

Also, I’ve posted a related entry in my blog, Prudence and Wellness. Check it out at here.
eric reyes // Jan 18, 2009 at 8:35 pm

my father was diagnosed stage 4 – b lung cancer. his physician honestly informed us that my father will only have 3 to 6 months to live. my tatay is 74 plus. the doctor said that he cannot recommend chemotherapy, cobalt or even surgeon due to my tatay’s age. my sister and i were so devastated about my tatay’s fate in the hands of science. what we have is faith in the Lord and alternative medicine or foods to make my tatay get well. please send me an answer. thank you.

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