The world was crazy about antioxidants a few or a dozen years ago. As it turns out - unreasonably! It turns out that antioxidants (also known as antioxidants), substances that neutralize free radicals, are not a cure for all evil. Sometimes they can even be harmful.

Antioxidantsseemed to cure all evil. In some studies, e.g. by Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg from the University of Tufts (1994), have gained a reputation as policemen chasing bad guys, that isfree radicals . Their chemical structure allows them to be "disarmed" by inhibiting their formation or destroying those that have already been created.Antioxidantshave an extraordinary ability to remove damage caused by free radicals.
Recall what these villains are who can make by the age of 50 a third of the protein found in cells turns into a worthless mass. Free radicals (oxidants) are chemical molecules that have lost one of their electrons as a result of many different factors, e.g. environmental pollution, inappropriate lifestyle. To compensate for the imbalance, these particles either steal an electron from the nearest cell or get rid of the one for which there is no more pair. As a result, cells are injured, proteins and DNA are destroyed. This, in turn, makes the body susceptible to disease and ages faster.
And then antioxidants can come to the rescue. But, as it turned out after numerous subsequent studies, it is not such a simple relationship that an oxidant can be combated by an antioxidant.
Antioxidants can be many different substances, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, plant preparations or other natural products. Some of them, such as vitamins A, C or E, have long been suspected of slowing the aging process, others, such as coenzyme Q10, ginko or glutathione, are a later discovery.

However, as it often happens, after the first enthusiasts, it is time for more in-depth analyzes. And here are theories that antioxidants are not all that great, and in some cases they may not only not help but even harm.

Important

Almost 100 studies per 500,000 people

This is how many analyzes have been carried out in the last 10 years around the world. And it turned out thatthe king is naked. More specifically, considered to be the queens of vitamin antioxidants. C and E and beta carotene, which can be harmful. Such opinions appeared from time to time, as one of the first about 10 years ago about the harmfulness of taking high doses of vitamin. E and beta-carotene, Finnish scientists reported. But no one was particularly concerned about their developments. Especially Americans who consumed colorful antioxidant pills with kilograms, hoping to live a long and he althy life. In our country, the fashion for antioxidants continues, although not only natural medicine specialists call for moderation in this regard. However, there is some anti-oxidant movement in America as well. A special office has even been set up at the US National Institutes of He alth to deal exclusively with antioxidants.

Antioxidants especially harm smokers and cancer patients

It may seem paradoxical, but antioxidants seem to be harmful especially to those who have been recommended in greater amounts not so long ago to patients with chronic diseases, cancer, and smokers. For example, beta-carotene, which has already been confirmed by several research centers, does not reduce, but increases the risk of lung cancer among smokers, vit. E, which was supposed to prevent heart disease, may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. It is similar with selenium, which can shorten, not extend life.
According to most oncologists, among others from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, antioxidants, especially the first queen, vitamin C, may accelerate tumor growth rather than inhibiting tumor growth in cancer patients. In turn, other antioxidants can also interact with cancer drugs and accelerate tumor growth as well.

Don't count on living longer by taking antioxidants

Danish researchers from the University Hospital in Copenhagen, in their research conclusions, led by Christian Gluud, go even further in their theories. They believe that antioxidants can also harm he althy people if they ingest them uncontrollably and immoderately. Because by taking them, we disrupt the entire immune system. In other words, our immune system may start to go crazy all at once and… weaken instead of becoming stronger.
Similar concerns have been raised recently among scientists not only by antioxidants, but also dietary supplements, which are also supposed to have a positive effect on he alth. We swallow them in handfuls, often under the influence of advertising, and they do not help at all.
And who to believe? Probably those who recommend moderation in taking allsupplements, antioxidants, supplements. Because, what you should know first of all, research on these substances applies only to preparations obtained using a chemical method, and not consumed in their natural form. But does it mean that the natural ones are good and the ones in the tablets are bad? After all, what is natural can also be harmful. But the body can handle the excess of the body's natural antioxidant more easily than the excess of the pill. Because that's his nature …

What about antioxidants in cosmetics?

The case of antioxidants contained in cosmetics looks similar, at least in the light of the research conducted so far. Some dermatologists have no doubts that these substances have only beneficial effects. For example, one of the studies conducted by the American Dr. Debbi Palmer and Dr. Jennifer Kitchin prove that antioxidants in cosmetics protect the skin against aging, damage resulting from sunlight or environmental pollution. At the same time, they can inhibit the so-called immunosuppression, caused by other harmful external factors, which could lead to skin cancer. Both scientists point out that antioxidants from cosmetics are effective in preventing damage to genes responsible for the aging process.
But, for example, Dr. David Gems from the University of London has a different opinion, who says that there is still no conclusive research, confirming or denying the effectiveness of antioxidants in cosmetics. They may not be harmful, because their content in cosmetics is small, but they will not help either. Remember, Dr. David Gems points out that the skin is designed to protect against all that affects it. Most cosmetic preparations have such a low content of active substances that they will not penetrate this protective coat. At most, it improves her appearance temporarily. And from this point of view, the discussion of whether antioxidants contained in cosmetics help or harm seems pointless. Until further research …

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