Anti-oxidant Nutritional Vitamins - By: Amy Wells

The medical world has divided opinions about antioxidant vitamins. They prevent the free radicals from damaging cells and thus they fight old age and chronic disease. Vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) are the main antioxidant vitamins. Many people are now taking some antioxidant supplement either to stay in good shape and maintain youth or to fight cardio-vascular disease.

Medical precautions!

At the moment, it is not 100% sure that antioxidant vitamins can improve heart conditions. Instead of taking supplements, people are encouraged to eat a balanced diet, getting nutrients from all the major food categories. Antioxidant vitamins are normally taken from food and they are enough to keep you healthy. Fruits, whole grains and nuts are better alternatives than supplements!

Other natural antioxidants!

Besides vitamin A, E and C, the body uses other substances and chemicals to fight the formation of the free radicals. Normally, the secretion of free radicals increases because of pollution and extensive sun exposure. Green tea, gingko biloba, grape seed extract, zinc and selenium have a powerful antioxidant effect. Some of these are available in the form of herbal supplements, while the others can be taken directly from food. Have several fruit servings per day and drink one or two cups of green tea.

Physical exercises and antioxidant vitamins!

When you undergo strenuous physical effort after long rest periods your body is unprepared for the effort, and the system will secret more free radicals than ever at such times. The best way to fight this is not to use more antioxidant vitamins, but to actually make physical exercises part of your lifestyle. Regular exercises boost up the body's defenses ensuring protection against free radicals. Nevertheless scientists can hardly give an answer to whether a supplementation of antioxidant vitamins will better help an athlete deal with cellular oxidation.

Whether to take antioxidant vitamins or not!

More and more medical experts recommend a balanced diet instead of supplements. A decade ago antioxidant vitamins enjoyed an excellent reputation, but their health effect is no longer believed to be that positive. At present, there is growing awareness on the potential toxicity of antioxidant supplements and their interactions. Live a healthy balanced life and try not to over-supplement because that could be detrimental on the long run. Our bodies are too finely tuned, and the defense mechanisms should work automatically as long as we provide the right nutrients!

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