Health and Nutrition Info
By Didrik J. Sopler, Ph.D, L.Ac.
06-19-07

Surprising  benefits of antioxidants

A lot of people are aware that antioxidants provide protection from free radical damage. Free radicals are byproducts of normal physiological function and if present in excess, it can cause tissue damage. The body has for that reason a built in protection against this damage. It is making its own antioxidant enzymes called SOD.

Even if the body makes its own antioxidant enzymes the nutrients we ingest are important. One reason is that certain nutrients need to be present for the body to make SOD. The minerals zinc, copper and manganese are especially important. You can read more about that in one of the past newsletters. 

In addition to the SOD made by the body, there are numerous other substances acting as antioxidants, and we get them through the food we eat.

There are many benefits that can be realized from antioxidants, but that common substances like vitamin C, vitamin E and carotene may protect the memory is something many people may not be aware of.

A recent study investigated just that. 3831 people 65 years old or older were followed for seven years (Wengreen H.J. et al, 2007). Both a food frequency questionnaire and a cognitive assessment were included. There were three follow ups during the seven year period.

At the end of the study the researchers concluded that high intake from food and supplement sources of vitamin C, vitamin E and carotene may delay cognitive decline. In other words these nutrients will help your memory.

Another surprise may be that low consumption of fruits and vegetables has been reported in people with psychiatric disorders. When vitamin C and carotene was measured in 6680 adults aged 17-39 years old as a part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, something interesting was discovered (Li Y. Zang.J, 2007). The researchers found that a history of attempted suicide was associated with low levels of vitamin C and carotenoids.

You will get a variety of antioxidants in both our Antiox Plus and Multivitamin mineral formulas. For more information and to order call us at 1-800-883-1252.

Wishing you the best of health,

Didrik

References:

Li Y, Zhang J. Serum concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids are low in individuals with a history of attempted suicide. Nutr Neurosci. 2007 Feb-Apr; 10(1-2):51-8.

Wengreen HJ, Munger RG, Corcoran CD, Zandi P, Hayden KM, Fotuhi M, Skoog I, Norton MC, Tschanz J, Breitner JC, Welsh-Bohmer KA. Antioxidant intake and cognitive function of elderly men and women: the cache county study. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 May-Jun; 11(3):230-7.