Antioxidant Supplements: Friend or Foe?

When you hear the word “antioxidant” you probably think it’s something you could use more of, right? Well, that might not always be the case. New research shows that people taking high dose antioxidant supplements may be causing more harm than good.

With so many supplements on the market and many “health experts” proclaiming their benefits, it can be difficult to decipher fact from fiction. The truth is that as long as you are consuming a balanced diet that meets your energy needs, you can get most antioxidants through your daily food intake without the use of supplements. Antioxidants are found in foods such as fruits and vegetables, and are also made within the human body. Antioxidants are a necessary part of health, but so are the oxygen radicals that they combat.

Oxygen containing free radicals are produced in all living organisms and have many beneficial functions within the body, including immune defense and hormone synthesis. While there are biological benefits of oxygen radicals, as with most things, too many oxygen radicals in the body can have negative effects. Excess oxygen radicals can cause oxidative stress that may lead to cell damage and disease. Antioxidants aid in the defense against the damage caused by excess oxygen radicals in the body. However, an overabundance of antioxidants may interfere with both disease triggering and healthy oxygen radicals. Thus, while consuming foods high in antioxidants is protective for our health, the research does not support the benefit of antioxidant supplements for the general healthy population.

Bottom Line: People need oxygen radicals for day-to-day function and overall health. Antioxidants are beneficial for our health, but you can save your money on supplements and opt for consuming a colorful range of fruits and vegetables to reap their benefits.

Source 1, Source 2

Visit Wellness Workdays for more information about our worksite wellness programs.