Many older people today consume
considerable amounts of vitamin supplements. The benefits, however, have not
been proven in all cases.
A recent review from New
Zealand, summarizes the available evidence, and makes suggestions for the best
course of action
Various harmful
influences - ionizing radiation, pesticides, toxins and xenobiotics (foods that
contain refined carbohydrates, chemical additives, flavorings and colorings) -
increase the formation of damaging substances which are termed free radicals.
While the body has enzymes within its cells that "detoxify" the free radicals,
these defenses may be overwhelmed if there is fever, injury, poisoning or
burns.
Chronic exposure to
high amounts of free radicals has been thought to result in atherosclerosis,
cancer of the lungs and gastrointestinal tract, Parkinson's disease, cataracts
and rheumatoid arthritis.
The
substances that neutralize free radicals are known as antioxidants. The
chief antioxidant vitamins available as supplements are vitamin E, ascorbic
acid (vitamin C), and ß-carotene.
Recent comparisons of different groups of
people have shown that those who consume diets high in antioxidants have lower
frequencies of coronary heart disease and the other chronic conditions
mentioned above.
Other
studies have looked for the possible benefits of taking antioxide vitamin
supplements - the appeal of taking a "magic bullet" pill instead of changing
one's diet is considerable, and is easier to carry out.
Unfortunately, the studies done so far do
not exclude the possibility that the people eating antioxidant rich diets or
taking antioxidant vitamins may also have much healthier life styles (e.g. not
smoking, taking physical exercise), which would confuse the results.
These shortcomings are now being
addressed in four new studies, in which the effects of vitamin E,
ß-carotene, ascorbic acid and fish oil in large groups of people will be
examined. In particular, their action on the development of coronary heart
disease will be studied.
In the meantime, until the results of these studies are
available (probably several years away), what should the older person do? The
answer depends somewhat on the safety of antioxidant vitamins.
Rather than relying on vitamin supplements, people
should consider modifying their diet. Fruits, vegetables, soya beans, nuts and
olive oil contain numerous antioxidant substances.
Tea and red wine also contain antioxidants.
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