| What happens in our bodies that creates a need for antioxidants? |
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Highly reactive charged particles of oxygen called free radicals form naturally as extra electrons attach themselves to about 5 percent of inhaled oxygen. In research that became widely known two decades ago, oxidation caused by free radicals was implicated in many diseases, including cancer and heart disease, and in the aging process itself. These suggestive findings led many people to hope that large doses of supplements, especially vitamin C and E and beta-carotene, could retard aging and prevent disease. The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, however, warn that not enough is yet known about which forms and dosages of supplements may be effective. Antioxidant free radical scavengers form naturally in the well-nourished body, many authorities point out, and suggest that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and perhaps a daily vitamin supplement probably provide enough antioxidants without the risks that large doses of some vitamins pose. "Value of Antioxidants" is by C. Claiborne Ray, The New York Times, March 15, 2005 |
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